Karnataka 108 ambulance services could be disrupted from September 20 as employees of the Health Kavacha 108 emergency ambulance scheme have threatened to submit mass resignations if the government fails to address their long-standing demands. The workers have said they will escalate their protest if their demands for salary revision and working conditions are not resolved within the stipulated period.
Suvarna Karnataka Health Kavacha-108 Employees' Association and Karnataka State Health Kavacha Ambulance Employees' Association have written to the Minister and Principal Secretary of the Department, according to sources. The employees had been demanding government intervention into some issues they say have been ongoing for years.
Salary Revision Is Major Demand
One of the main demands of ambulance workers is regular annual salary revision. At the time of recruitment, workers were promised that their salary would change every year, the unions said. However, they claim that there was no salary hike between 2017 and 2022.
The employees are now demanding that salary revision be implemented every year in line with the assurance given to them. They also want better staffing and operational arrangements to keep the ambulance service running on three shifts.
The workers say 108 ambulance workers perform critical emergency duties and are often required to work in very difficult circumstances. So they have sought better employment conditions and a transparent salary structure based on experience and seniority.
Rs 50 Lakh Compensation Sought
Another big demand is compensation for employees who die due to accidents while working. The unions are demanding compensation of Rs 50 lakh to the families of employees who die in accidents.
The employees have also opposed the existing wage structure based on different zones. They have demanded that the zone-wise classification of salaries be scrapped and replaced with a uniform zone system to ensure greater parity among workers performing similar duties.
The unions have also called for salaries to be paid on or before the seventh day of each month, citing labour department regulations. They have also demanded seniority be taken into account in determining employee salaries.
Better Workplace Facilities Demanded
Ambulance workers have also been concerned about basic facilities at their workplaces. Their demands are toilets and decent rest rooms at all work locations.
They have also sought more water facilities for cleaning ambulances. Such basic infrastructure is vital in an emergency, in which ambulance employees are responsible for maintaining the vehicles used to transport patients, they said.
The unions have given the government 15 days to respond to their demands. In a letter dated September 4, the representatives said that if the issues were not resolved within the specified time frame, employees would collectively resign from September 20 and stage a protest.
The unions also warned that if the government were to take any adverse action in response to the proposed action, it would be held responsible.
Health Minister Warns of Strict Action
Health Minister U.T. Khader has been strongly against the agitation. He said if patients faced problems due to the 108 ambulance workers' strike, he would take action against them.
Khader advised ambulance drivers and other employees who have grievances to talk to the company concerned. If the company is unable to manage its drivers and other personnel, it should consider leaving the service, he said.
It comes as the health minister talks of the risk of disruption of emergency ambulance services. 108 ambulance services are essential for patients during medical emergencies, accidents and other urgent situations.
Emergency Services Under Focus
The threat of mass resignation has raised concerns because one would be affected directly by the 108 service and patients who are in need of immediate transport to hospitals.
The government and ambulance sector organisations now have to find a solution before September 20. The issues are salary revision, compensation of employees' families, timely payment of wages, staffing arrangements, workplace facilities and a uniform wage structure.
In the next few weeks, the government, health department and ambulance employees could meet to decide if mass resignation and protest go ahead. A quicker resolution of the dispute would be crucial for thousands of people in Karnataka who depend on emergency ambulance service in emergency services to keep emergency medical transportation online.
