ONGC Assam Asset Protest Shows No Signs of Ending as Employees Demand Recruitment Restart and Better Conditions

Guwahati, May 27 — The ONGC Assam Asset protest by the employees’ union has now completed seven continuous days, highlighting a growing unrest among workers over nine critical unresolved demands. The protest, which began on May 21 at the Assam Asset head office in Nazira, Sivasagar district, centers on issues such as restarting recruitment, reinstating overtime allowances, and regularising temporary staff.

The ONGC Purbanchal Employees’ Association (OPEA), leading the protest, has stressed that while the agitation is firm, it has not hampered the company’s overall operations. However, the growing duration of the ONGC Assam Asset protest signals deep-rooted concerns among the workforce that require urgent attention.

Key Demands Drive ONGC Assam Asset Protest

The most prominent demand from the union is the restart of recruitment, which has been stalled since 2023 despite thousands of vacancies being available. OPEA General Secretary Sanjeeb Boruah said, “Our key demand is to restart the recruitment process, as outsourcing is depriving local youth of employment opportunities.”

Boruah pointed out that in 2022, nearly 300 sanctioned regular posts for ONGC Assam Asset in Jorhat and Silchar have remained unfilled for unclear reasons, worsening the employment crisis. The ONGC Assam Asset protest is, therefore, strongly driven by the union’s insistence on fulfilling these vacancies to benefit local workers.

Recruitment Freeze Fuels Frustration in ONGC Assam Asset Protest

The ongoing recruitment freeze is a major catalyst for the ONGC Assam Asset protest, as it impacts both employment prospects for local youth and the operational workforce’s morale. The union holds ONGC, a Maharatna company, responsible for supporting local employment, which they say has been neglected in recent years.

Despite talks held on April 29 between the union and ONGC headquarters, no resolution has been reached, further fueling the protest. A senior official from ONGC Assam Asset declined to comment, calling the situation an internal matter between management and the union.

Additional Issues Highlighted by ONGC Assam Asset Protest

Apart from recruitment, the ONGC Assam Asset protest focuses on other pressing issues:

• Reinstating a 3-hour overtime allowance, which was withdrawn without notice in February 2025.
• Regularising tenure-based field operators and paramedical staff who have served for over 20 years.
• Ensuring timely provision of safety equipment to all staff.
• Addressing delays in upgrading posts of fire personnel.
• Settling field duty expenditures for workshop employees.
• Controlling the rising outsourcing trend that threatens job security.
• Continuation of certain medical facilities which have recently been discontinued.

These demands reflect the union’s broader call for improved working conditions and job security for the employees, making the ONGC Assam Asset protest a significant labor movement in the region.

Hunger Strike and Tool-Down Strike Notices Escalate ONGC Assam Asset Protest

With no tangible progress made, the union has escalated its agitation by issuing a notice for a hunger strike. They have also warned of a potential tool-down strike if their demands remain unaddressed, indicating an increase in the intensity of the ONGC Assam Asset protest.

The union’s stance shows that workers are prepared to push their grievances further to compel the company to act on these long-standing issues.

What Lies Ahead for the ONGC Assam Asset Protest?

The continuation of the ONGC Assam Asset protest beyond a week signals a critical juncture for the company’s management. Addressing recruitment concerns and other employment-related issues will be key to resolving the dispute and restoring industrial harmony.

The protest underscores the need for large public sector undertakings like ONGC to maintain their commitment to local employment and workers’ welfare, particularly in regions like Assam, where job opportunities are vital for economic stability.

Conclusion

The ONGC Assam Asset protest is a clear manifestation of employee dissatisfaction over stalled recruitment and deteriorating working conditions. The union’s persistent demands for recruitment restart, reinstatement of allowances, and regularisation of long-serving temporary staff highlight important labor issues in the company.

As the protest enters its second week, it remains to be seen how the company will respond to avoid further disruption and to uphold its responsibility toward its workforce and the local community.