Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Sep 28: The staff manning the government’s ambitious ‘108’ ambulance service went on a flash strike since Tuesday September 27 afternoon. The personnel manning these services said that the ambulance services, which are expected to be available all 24 hours of the day, will not be available till Wednesday September 28 evening.

The personnel of these ambulances allege that GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute (GVKEMRI), which is entrusted with the task of monitoring and managing these services, have been harassing the staff and nurses of the services. They said that even after working for about three years, the personnel do not get good pay and other facilities, and that they are overburdened with work.

The striking employees have also sought service security by considering them as government employees. They also want better work conditions, and an environment devoid of harassment in which they can serve the people well.

GVKEMRI Bangalore office says it has no information about the strike. An official of the office said retired employees or outsiders were hindering the services, and that the firm is committed to provide ambulance services as before. Dakshina Kannada district convener of the services, Amit Kumar, said that he came to know about the strike after 3 pm on Tuesday, and that he is finding it hard to know about the whereabouts of the vehicles and their staff.

District health officer, Dr Srirangappa, said that the striking employees were asked to hand over the keys of the ambulance and mobile phones to the office, and that the employees had, on the contrary, parked the vehicles in the compounds of police stations and government hospitals. “We propose to register complaints against this illegal activity,” he added.