"Thousands of refinery workers in India strike against 12-hour workday", 26 February 2026

Trade unions are already leading a national movement against four new labor codes introduced by the ultra-right-wing government in the country which, they claim, normalizes extended working hours and strips the right to unionize.

Thousands of workers at the public sector refinery and petrochemical complex in Panipat, Haryana, are on strike in opposition to an extension in working hours at the complex…, the strike was joined by thousands of contractual workers who have complained they are being forced to work 12 hours instead of the stipulated 8-hour days, without being paid overtime wages.

The workers are also demanding the regular and timely payment of their wages, weekly holidays, and the overall improvement in working conditions, among several other demands.

Several workers have also complained that they are not even allowed access to basic amenities and are mostly deprived by contractors of basic legal protections, such as their provident funds (mandatory, government-backed retirement savings)…

The majority of the striking workers are employed at an extension project of the refinery and petrochemical compound owned by public sector giant Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). It is one of the largest such refineries in all of South Asia.

Threats and intimidation by the management

Workers began the sit-in protest …, immediately after declaring the strike, and blocked the entrance of the facility in support of their demands.

The management has repeatedly used the security personnel deployed in the facility to threaten and intimidate the striking workers, trying to demand they to return to work, which has led to almost daily clashes and scores of workers and security personnel being injured…

The management and administration claimed … that they had agreed to all the demands raised by the workers, however, workers refused to continue work until the management gave them written assurances.

A fresh round of talks began … with several major trade unions, such as the Centre for Indian Trade Union (CITU), the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), extending their support to the striking workers.

CITU, …, claimed that “powerful images and videos coming from Panipat have rekindled the determination and hope of the working class across the country.”

It acknowledged the role of the contractual working in the struggle at Panipat refinery, saying it “has again established the leading role of the non-permanent workers in India’s militant class oriented movement.”…