On Friday, November 6, workers of the second shift were not allowed into the unit; instead, they were confronted with notices asking them not to report for duty. Pasted alongside this was another notice persuading them to opt for the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS). ``It goes against the workers' right to work,'' said Prashant Mokashi, secretary of the Petroleum Workmens'' Union affiliated to the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).

He accuses the company of resorting to unfair trade practices, forcing workers to accept VRS by shutting down the factory unit. ``How long will workers get their salaries at home, and why shouldthey do so?'' he asked.

On Monday, workers were only allowed to clear their lockers and take their belongings. In a letter to the Sewri police station, they have complained that the management did not allow them to work. The company has also allegedly kept private security guards at the gates.

Castrol claims that work at the unit had ceased since August 1998, and that the union knew that since work had become unviable in the unit, operations would be suspended. Twelve workers, apart from the present group of 32, have already been provided work at the company's Patalganga plant.

In a faxed reply to this newspaper, general manager, Human Resource Development, A K Sequeira, said a recent agreement with the union on October 14 this year dealt with the situation that would occur, and the union reportedly accepted the discontinuation of operations. ``The company is not in a position to provide work to employ the remaining 32 workmen and the settlement with the union clearly provided that they would be paidfor till such time that the matter is resolved as per the provision of law,'' stated Sequeira.

The union counters that while it had accepted the inclusion of 12 workmen at the company's Patalganga unit - for which machinery had been shifted from this unit - the matter of the remaining workers was kept pending and further discussions were to take place on ``lawful solutions''. ``However, while we are prepared for talks, no discussion has taken place. What we want is that the situation return to status quo,'' said Mokashi. ``There is no provision for suspension of operations under the industrial laws''.

The union has sent the company a demand letter to allow the workmen to enter the premises and to allocate normal work to them. They also plan to approach the Regional Labour Commissioner for an intervention in the matter. The company was forcing workers to accept the VRS, he felt. ``Even company officials agree that it is being done only because workers are not willing to accept the VRS. But why should anyworker leave his job? He has a right to work,'' Mokashi added. The workers are apparently ready to work in any of the company's other units at Patalganga and Wadala.

The recent step, said Sequeira, was taken as the workmen were idling their time at the unit since August. The matter will be discussed with the union for an ``amicable settlement'', he added. Till then, workers would continue getting their normal salaries. On the VRS issue, he said the scheme was purely voluntary and involved no coercion. A majority of the workmen are eligible for the scheme and a ``generous package' was being offered by the company. Permission has also be obtained from the Income Tax department for treating the compensation as tax-free, he added.