102, 108 ambulance staff to go on one-day strike

The 108 and 102 Ambulance Staff Union, affiliated with CITU, has decided to go on a one-day strike from tonight against the alleged exploitation of employees and non-implementation of labour laws and judicial orders.

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The union claimed most 108 and 102 ambulances will be off the road during the strike and no driver or EMT will report for duty. Besides, the union will also hold protests at district headquarters, the National Health Mission (NHM) headquarters in Shimla and Medswan Foundation office in Solan. “We have given a call for a day’s strike at the moment, but we can launch a bigger agitation if our demands are ignored,” said CITU state president Vijender Mehra.

Dr Gopal Beri, Deputy MD, NHM, said the Medswan Foundation had agreed to the demands raised by the union in the meeting yesterday. “We’ve received it in writing from Medswan,” said Dr Beri. He further said that the department had made alternative arrangements in case the union went ahead with the strike to ensure public do not face much inconvenience.

Mehra, meanwhile, alleged the union had been forced to go on strike as employees were being exploited, with many not receiving minimum wages, overtime pay or leaves by the company. The major demands of the union include payment of minimum wage as declared by the government, double overtime pay for 12 hours of work, provision of leaves as per rules, no deduction of salary during vehicle maintenance and insurance. “We are seeking immediate implementation of the orders related to minimum wage by the High Court, Labour Court and Labour Department,” said Mehra.