Guwahati: The All India Trade Union Congress’s (AITUC) Assam committee has demanded an independent, high-level inquiry into the Duliajan tank farm accident that killed six workers and seriously injured another.The accident occurred this month at Oil India Limited’s (OIL) intermediate tank farm in Duliajan. The union on Friday alleged lapses in industrial safety, risk management and the protection of contractual workers.It demanded that the inquiry establish the exact cause of the accident, examine safety procedures and the contractor’s role, make the findings public, and recommend strict legal and administrative action against those responsible.“Among its key demands, AITUC has sought adequate compensation for the families of all deceased workers and permanent employment for one eligible member of each family. It also demanded that OIL bear the cost of advanced medical treatment and rehabilitation of the injured worker until full recovery,” said Ramen Das, general secretary of the union.The union also sought the timely settlement of insurance, compensation, wages, provident fund, Employees’ State Insurance and other statutory benefits for the affected families.It called for safety audits across OIL’s oilfields, tank farms, pipelines and depots; rectification of deficiencies; mandatory safety equipment and training; emergency rescue facilities; and stricter enforcement of work permits, isolation procedures and safety protocols.It also demanded disclosure of worker strength and accident, death and injury figures from the past decade, along with workers’ representation on safety committees. The union warned of a nationwide agitation if accountability and workers’ rights were not ensured.
