KATHMANDU, JANUARY 27
Nepali Congress leader and former minister Rajendra Kumar KC has said that the state should be sensitive to the profession of petroleum tanker drivers.
During inaugurating the second national convention of Nepal Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association today, leader KC who is also the Member of Parliament of Kathmandu-10, said that the profession of drivers transporting petroleum products is more sensitive and risky than ordinary drivers, so the state should be sensitive to this profession.
"I will discuss with the relevant agencies to formulate necessary regulations to ease the problems faced by self-employed drivers who transport petroleum products," he said.
Umesh Thani, executive director of Nepal Oil Corporation, said that the role played by petroleum tanker drivers during the crisis in the country is commendable.
"Even before I became the executive director of NOC, I had been lobbying for professional rights and interests, and I am positive about solving the problems of drivers," he said.
Secretary General of International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) UK Brother Stephen Cotton said that the international labour sector has appreciated therole played by petroleum tanker drivers as the forefront workers during the COVID pandemic. He said that the letter of agreement between the two unions of the two countries will be taken to other countries through ITF and this is a commendable act.
Chandra Prakash Singh, president of Bihar Tanker Drivers, Upachalak Union of India, said that there are many problems faced by Nepali petroleum tanker drivers in India and said that he is working in cooperation with the Nepali Tanker Drivers Association to solve these problems.
On this occasion, a six-point memorandum of understanding was also signed between Bihar Tankers Chalak Upachalak Union of India and Nepal Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union for the interests of tanker drivers.
As per memorandum, the related union of country will assist in cases such as when a tanker driver gets into an accident, faces legal hassles, is injured due to attacks by a criminal group on the way, among others.
Ishwar Lama, president of the association, informed that there are more than 1,600 drivers in the Nepal Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association, which was established in 2017. He also expressed his belief that the association will play a role to include drivers in salary allowance and social security provided by the Labour Act.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 28, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
