IOC renewed insurance cover for petrol pump attendants and LPG delivery boys

In order to protect its frontline staff from health crises, the state-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has renewed insurance policy for petrol pump attendants and LPG delivery workers. IOC stated in a report that, in addition to renewing medical insurance for frontline staff, it will continue to offer ex-gratia support to the deceased's families. IOC has renewed IndianOil Karma Yogi Swasthya Bima Yojana with effect from May 1, 2021, illustrating its responsibility to its frontline staff. According to IOC the statement states that "The medical insurance will cover more than 3.3 lakh retail outlet customer attendants, LPG delivery boys, tank truck crew, security guards at pipelines etc across the country. These personnel are at the forefront of IOC's endeavour to keep the energy supply lines uninterrupted, despite the pandemic."

The personnel's medical benefits will continue to cover them, their spouse, and their two children. For hospitalisation and COVID-related diseases, claims of up to Rs 1 lakh can be made. If an insured person dies in an accident, his or her family will be entitled to Rs 2 lakh in insurance cover. The Karma Yogi Swasthya Bima Yojana, according to IOC, was introduced in March 2020 to offer a financial cushion to the field force, which was braving the pandemic to meet the country's fuel needs. IOC also added that 'In FY 2020-21, almost 300 cases requiring hospitalisation were provided medical assistance and 14 death cases were provided financial compensation.' The statement further added that 'In FY 2020-21, all 23 families needing this assistance were provided with the ex-gratia compensation' according to PTI.

In addition, in the event of death due to COVID-19, IOC will continue to have an ex-gratia COVID-19 insurance cover of Rs 5 lakhs. The amount is owed to the deceased's legal guardian. Pump attendants, delivery boys, packed and bulk drivers, TT crew, pipeline patrolling guards, loaders/unloaders, and other associated/support workers are among the contract labour employed on-site by IOC, as well as personnel employed by business associates.