Guwahati: More than 1,000 security workers gathered in Tingkhong this week. They represent four Assam districts: Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Charaideo, and Sivasagar. These men and women guard remote assets for Oil India Limited, Assam Gas Company Limited, and the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation. Now, they are fighting back.
Authorities want to rebrand these staff as Oil Security Volunteers. Workers reject this label. They say the move strips them of basic labor rights. Management allegedly plans to pay them less than 10,000 rupees a month. This rate lacks critical benefits like Provident Fund and Employees State Insurance.
About 100 women joined the protest. They have guarded oil sites without weapons for six years. Workers demand formal recognition as Oil Security Workers with permanent or contractual contracts. One worker stated, "The workers said they want a clear policy on their employment status, wages and future security."
The group demands wages that follow state labor laws. They warned of a massive regional movement if officials ignore these claims. The clock is ticking on a deal.
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