Emergency ambulance service workers stage protests in Una

The employees of the 108 and 102 Emergency ambulance services in the district, hit the streets on the third day of their five-day protest. They staged a protest at the Una district headquarters near the municipal park under the banner of Center for Indian Trade Unions (CITU).

Emergency Ambulance Service worker Kulbir Singh said they had been outsourced by a state level company for the emergency services rendered by them. He alleged that for the last four years, they were paid only about Rs 12,000 per month without any increment in the wages. Moreover, he said while the payment was supposedly for an eight hour shift, the company forced them to work 12 hours in a day without paying any overtime charges.

Medical technician Shashi Syal said the prolonged shift timings were taking a toll on their physical and mental fitness level, besides posing hardships in their families since they were unable to provide time to their family. She said they had collectively approached the court, which passed orders in their favour, but the company had failed to comply with the orders.

The protesting employees said their state union had given a five day protest call, which included first four days protest at the district level, followed by the state level protest in Shimla. They said their association had also communicated with the state government over the issue and vented out their grievances. They said if the government and the company fail to settle their demands, they would be forced to intensify the stir.