Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 14: The 108 ambulance employees working under the Arogya Kavacha scheme have warned of a potential boycott of duties and mass resignations starting at 10 pm on Wednesday, citing the non-fulfilment of various demands, including wage revision.

However, health minister U T Khader has clarified that the government will not yield to pressure tactics. If the protest proceeds as warned, 108 ambulance services across the state could face severe disruptions from Wednesday night.

The employees had previously set a September 21 deadline for the government to meet their demands, which included wage revisions and changes to the daily duty schedule. During a meeting on September 22, the contracting company GVK EMRI agreed to look into the demands, prompting the staff to put their planned strike on hold. Citing that the promises remain unfulfilled, the employees have now threatened to resume their protest.

Paramashivaiah, president of the Karnataka State Arogya Kavacha (108) Employees' Association, stated that multiple appeals had been submitted to GVK EMRI. "The same company pays good salaries in other states but is allegedly exploiting us in Karnataka. There are 3,200 staff members, including drivers and staff nurses, in the 108 service across the state. We are prepared to resign en masse and look for alternative jobs if pushed. We will not be responsible if the public faces difficulties; the onus will lie with the contracted GVK EMRI company and the government," he warned.

The employees' union highlighted that there has been no wage increase between 2017 and 2022. Their demands include an annual wage revision, a three-shift schedule for ambulance operations, abolishing the zonal wage classification in favour of a uniform wage system, Rs 50 lac compensation for the families of staff who die in accidents, and fixing salaries based on seniority. They have also demanded that salaries be disbursed before the 7th of every month as per labour department rules, and that basic amenities like toilets, restrooms, and water facilities for cleaning ambulances be provided at all locations.

"We will not bow to blackmail tactics. I request the public not to rely entirely on the 108 ambulance service for the next two months. We are working on arranging an excellent alternative system soon," stated health minister U T Khader.