KARACHI, May 23: The National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC) has directed a multinational oil company, Shell Pakistan Ltd, not to take any action against the union members till June 5.

The NIRC passed the order on a petition filed by the Shell Pakistan Employees Union through its general secretary, Mohammad Zamir, against Shell Pakistan Ltd.

The order passed by NIRC member, Ali Nawaz A. Channa, says that a labour representative, Khalil-ur-Rehman, has filed a petition under section 22 A (8) (g) of IRO 1969 on behalf of the union alleging that the respondents, are trying to disband the petitioner union.

The petitioner says that the services of over 400 union members have already been terminated, and they have been re-employed on contract basis through a contractor.

The petitioner has said that now the union strength has been left to only 120 members and ways are being found to sack them as well.

The union alleges that its members are being directed to give up trade union activities, otherwise they will be transferred, dismissed or terminated, or will be promoted so that they cannot remain union members.

Mr Channa has ordered the company to restrain from coercing the petitioners and office-bearers of the union into disassociating themselves from the union, from dismissing, terminating or in any way altering the terms and conditions of their employment and from promoting them in such a manner that they may not remain workers till the next hearing.

He has also directed the oil company to file its objections and counter affidavit till the next hearing on June 5.