108 health workers go on indefinite strike

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Sep 29, 2011 : Since the health workers associated with 108 emergency ambulance service launched an indefinite strike on Wednesday seeking immediate fulfillment of their demands, the 108 ambulances were not seen on the roads of the twin districts on Wednesday.

 

The health workers are demanding salaries on par with those of government nurses and drivers, weekly holidays, 8-hour shifts, provident fund (PF), and ESI cards.

It may be recalled that 108 workers had gone on strike the previous year too and had their pay hiked slightly.

DHO Dr. Srirangappa told DH reporters that only 3 of the drivers of 19 ambulances have given up their keys to the health department and none of them have given up their mobile phones, owing to which a case has been registered against them in the police station.

Stating that 7 duplicate keys have been obtained from Bangalore, he said that the department will put available drivers in charge of running the ambulances from Thursday. He promised that the health department will ensure that the public is not inconvenienced by the strike.

In Udupi, 45 health workers manage 11 ambulances and none of them received calls on Wednesday. They are all in Bangalore, participating in the protest at Freedom Park. One of them told reporters that they will not receive calls till their protest is withdrawn.