Dibrugarh: Around 2,000 members of the village defence party (VDP) engaged by Oil India Ltd (OIL) protested on Thursday, seeking a wage hike from the current Rs 100 a day.The VDP members, mainly from Tinsukia and Dibrugarh, guard OIL’s oilfields, gas and oil pipelines, and other key installations. Protesters said they have long worked as frontline security but remain “dispensable”, alleging no job security, no uniforms, and no identity cards even after decades of service.“I have been working as a VDP for the past 22 years, guarding OIL’s pipelines and installations, often putting my life at risk. Yet I am paid only Rs 100 a day. How can a family survive on this in today’s times? We are not asking for charity, we are asking for what is fair,” said a protester.Protesters alleged that they are routinely made to work beyond the stipulated eight-hour shift, sometimes up to 24 hours, without overtime pay, basic facilities, or proper identification.“We are called upon to work around the clock whenever there is a security requirement, but we are never paid overtime. We have no uniform or ID card to identify us as VDP personnel on duty. Despite serving OIL for 25 years, we remain invisible in the eyes of the company,” another protester alleged.VDPs cited a long-standing pay disparity with regular OIL security staff. Similar protests were held earlier at OIL’s field headquarters in Duliajan. Protesters warned of wider agitation across upper Assam if demands are ignored.
Members of the village defence party protest at Tengakhat
Members of the village defence party protest at Tengakhat
