Report of Mazdoor Ekta Committee correspondent
In the Begusarai district of Bihar, workers at the Barauni Refinery of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) have been protesting against violations of safety standards at the plant. On the morning of 2 February 2026, hundreds of workers staged a one-day symbolic strike at the refinery gate. Workers raised slogans, expressing their anger against the central and state governments, local bodies, and refinery management.
The Barauni Refinery is under the ownership of the IOCL. It produces LPG, petrol, diesel, ATF (aviation fuel), bitumen (used in road construction), and other products. Hundreds of workers, including permanent workers, contract workers, and apprentices work at the refinery.
The protesting workers were holding banners and placards that read – ‘Implement the government rule of eight hours’ work and enforce the declared minimum wage!’, ‘Make arrangements for labour sheds where workers can sit, pure drinking water and clean toilets at the workplace!’, etc.
The protesting workers said that for a long time now, they have been forced to work excessive hours for very low wages. They are paid only once every two to three months. Government safety regulations for workplaces are being flouted, and workers are being exploited. The plant does not even have a first aid station to handle emergencies. Workers have expressed concern about the dire safety situation within the plant.
Citing past accidents, workers said that in December 2025, a worker died when a crane belt broke. In September 2021, a vessel explosion injured more than 15 people. There was severe discrimination in the compensation provided to workers injured or killed in these accidents.
The striking workers said that for years, they have been appealing to the refinery management and the government against the arbitrariness of the contractors, but their appeals have not been heard in any way.
On 2 February, the management and workers reached an agreement on a 13-point set of demands. However, the management did not stick to this agreement for long. On 8 February, the management filed a case against workers’ leader Lal Babu Rai and suspended him, after which the police detained him. Protests of any kind within 500 meters of the plant have been banned.
On 9 February, workers boycotted work in protest against the arrest of their leader. The boycott continued until the police released their leader. However, his job has not yet been reinstated.
To intensify the agitation, on 15 February, thousands of workers organized a Workers’ Unity Conference. At the conference, the workers declared that they would not bow down to the arbitrariness of the contractors or the oppressive attitude of the management. Their struggle will continue until their leader’s job is reinstated and the 13-point agreement made with the management is fully implemented.