Barauni Refinery Workers Await Overtime Payment Resolution Two Months After Protest
Eleven contractual workers at the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) refinery in Barauni, Bihar, are awaiting clarity on unpaid overtime dues two months after a labor protest. The dispute centers on allegations that workers, including Vimlesh Kumar, worked excessive hours without receiving mandated overtime compensation, leading to significant financial strain. Although IOCL stated that all pending wages were settled and described the issue as a limited dispute involving only eleven individuals, the workers claim payments remain outstanding due to procedural delays and contractor disputes. A committee was formed following a February 2 strike, where demands included overtime pay, an eight-hour workday, and better facilities. The case is scheduled for hearing by the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner in Patna on May 4. Workers allege that private contractors frequently flout labor codes by deducting commissions and avoiding overtime payments, leaving them with lower daily wages than permanent employees. Despite management agreements to resolve wage disputes using biometric data from December 2025, some workers report continued delays and inadequate compensation for weekend work, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding statutory compliance and worker rights at the facility.
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Barauni Refinery Workers Await Overtime Payment Resolution Two Months After Protest
Eleven contractual workers at the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) refinery in Barauni, Bihar, are awaiting clarity on unpaid overtime dues two months after a labor protest. The dispute centers on allegations that workers, including Vimlesh Kumar, worked excessive hours without receiving mandated overtime compensation, leading to significant financial strain. Although IOCL stated that all pending wages were settled and described the issue as a limited dispute involving only eleven individuals, the workers claim payments remain outstanding due to procedural delays and contractor disputes. A committee was formed following a February 2 strike, where demands included overtime pay, an eight-hour workday, and better facilities. The case is scheduled for hearing by the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner in Patna on May 4. Workers allege that private contractors frequently flout labor codes by deducting commissions and avoiding overtime payments, leaving them with lower daily wages than permanent employees. Despite management agreements to resolve wage disputes using biometric data from December 2025, some workers report continued delays and inadequate compensation for weekend work, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding statutory compliance and worker rights at the facility.
The Indian Express