Mumbai, Aug 13: The `cease work' agitation by the ONGC employees began at off shore platforms in Mumbai region early today even as the management maintained that there was no impact on work so far. "We have started our non-cooperation agitation and would bring down the production to 25 per cent, though not close it down completely," an agitating ONGC employee owing allegiance to the Association of Scientifc and Technical Officers (ASTO) said here.
The essential services would be maintained but the valve would not operate to the full capacity, he said adding the unions have not objected to the ferrying of employees in helicopters to the off shore platforms.
The employees are demanding a higher compensation for the next of kin of those killed in the chopper crash two days ago and removal of ONGC's chairman and managing director Subir Raha.
Meanwhile, an ONGC spokesperson said the employees are expected not to go ahead with the agitation and maintain the level of production in view of the Mumbai High Court order yesterday, which restrains them from going on strike.
The work on off shore platform is going on normally, she said.
The ASTO, however, maintained that they are on `tool down agitation' and not on strike.
Raha had yesterday said the strike by the employees would be `illegal' if they went ahead with their threat to disrupt offshore activities of the company.
Bureau Report