Mumbai, Aug 17: Intensifying their "non-cooperation" agitation against the management, employees of the state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) have decided not to board the mi-172 helicopters of Pawan Hans as they were "unsafe" during critical situations. "Offshore going personnel would boycott boarding MI-172 of Pawan Hans for it is unsafe during such critical situations," the newly formed joint action committee of employees said in a statement today, adding the boycott would begin from Tuesday.

The employees would also sit on relay fast to press for their demands, which include CBI inquiry into the crash of Mesco aviation's mi-172 helicopter on august 11 in which 25 persons, mostly ONGC employees, were killed, it said.

Meanwhile, an ONGC spokesperson said the employees did not attend the conciliation proceedings initiated by the Regional Labour Commissioner (RLC) on 13th and 15th August.

The RLC has called a meeting on 19th august, she said adding management was open for discussions with the employees.
The management has filed an fir with the police over the damage caused to the CMD Subir Raha's car by the employees when he went to the ONGC helibase at Juhu.

"No individual has been named in the fir," she added.

The employees are also demanding removal of ONGC chairman Subir Raha and enhanced cash compensation of rs 25 lakh and a job to the deceased's families.

Meanwhile, the search for the two missing persons in the helicopter crash of August 11 was still on.
Bureau Report