Himachal Pradesh: 108, 102 ambulance staff on 2-day statewide strike

Hundreds of 108 and 102 ambulance employees in Himachal Pradesh began a 48-hour statewide strike, demanding minimum wages and an end to alleged exploitation by Medswan Foundation. The strike will disrupt services until December 27.

Statewide Ambulance Strike Disrupts Services

Hundreds of employees working under the 108 and 102 ambulance services in Himachal Pradesh have launched a two-day statewide strike under the banner of the CITU-affiliated 108 and 102 Ambulance Employees Union, demanding implementation of labour laws and court orders, payment of minimum wages, and an end to alleged harassment, according to an official press release.

The 48-hour strike will continue until 8 pm on December 27, during which ambulance services across the state will remain disrupted entirely. The union has announced demonstrations at all district headquarters, as well as major protests outside the National Health Mission Managing Director's office in Shimla and the Medswan Foundation headquarters in Dharampur, Solan, with hundreds of employees expected to participate, according to the press release.

Union Alleges Severe Exploitation

CITU state president Vijender Mehra, general secretary Prem Gautam, union president Sunil Kumar, and general secretary Balak Ram alleged that hundreds of pilots, captains, and EMTs working under Medswan Foundation, the agency operating ambulance services under the National Health Mission, are facing severe exploitation. They claimed that employees are not being paid even the government-mandated minimum wage and are required to work 12-hour shifts without overtime pay.

Persistent Legal Violations and Victimisation

The union leaders alleged that, despite repeated orders from the Himachal Pradesh High Court, the Labour Court, the CJM Court, Shimla, and the Labour Department, violations have persisted for years. They further alleged victimisation of union leaders through transfers, mental harassment, forced resignations, denial of leave, and keeping employees off duty for months without justification.

Financial Irregularities and Unpaid Dues

The union also alleged serious irregularities in EPF and ESI implementation, claiming that both EPF contributions are being deducted from employees' wages, resulting in a loss of about Rs. 2,000 per month per worker, and that the fundamental salary component is kept artificially low. They further raised issues related to unpaid retrenchment compensation, gratuity, notice pay, and arrears from the period when the employees were engaged by GVK EMRI, before their engagement by the Medswan Foundation.

Warning of Escalated Agitation

Warning of escalation, the union said that if demands are not met and harassment continues, it will intensify its agitation and move towards a larger, decisive struggle. (ANI)

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