Ambulance staff call off strike

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 12

Staff of 108 ambulance called off their two-day strike after a meeting with the Managing Director, Punjab Health Systems Corporation, on Thursday. They restored the services immediately after ending the strike around 6 pm.

Major demands of ambulance drivers, pharmacists and other staff members were eight-hour duty instead of 12 hours, rollback of transfer orders, full amount in their PF accounts and revocation of termination of their 85 colleagues.

Initially, the workers went on a 12-hour strike on Wednesday in favour of their demands. Thereafter, the authorities terminated 36 workers. Unhappy with the decision, they announced to observe the strike for an indefinite period of time. 

On Thursday, 85 workers were terminated by Ziqitza Health Care Limited, which is looking after 108 ambulance service in the state.

During the strike, around 240 ambulances in the state remained stationed.

Patients and their attendants faced a lot of inconvenience due to the strike. 

The state government is spending Rs 1.18 lakh per month on each ambulance for their upkeep.

Talking to The Tribune over the phone, Manpreet Nijjer, press secretary, 108 Ambulance Employees’ Association, said, “Firstly, the company should revoke the termination orders. The company should accept our demands immediately.”

Saikat Mukherjee, project director, Ziqitza Health Care, said, “At present, 120 ambulances are plying. During the strike, close to 100 calls were denied. The situation will be normal in a few hours. We will re-employ the terminated staff, but their demands will not be accepted.” 

Demands 

• Major demands of ambulance drivers, pharmacists and other staff members were eight-hour duty instead of 12 hours, rollback of transfer orders, full amount in their PF accounts and revocation of termination of their 85 colleagues. 
• Initially, the workers went on a 12-hour strike on Wednesday in favour of their demands. Thereafter, the authorities terminated 36 workers. Unhappy with the decision, they announced to observe the strike for an indefinite period of time.
• On Thursday, 85 workers were terminated by Ziqitza Health Care Limited, which is looking after 108 ambulance service in the state.