Treated Like Machines: 108 & 102 Ambulance Staff in Himachal Launch 5-Day Strike for Fair Wages and Dignity

Behind the life-saving sirens of Himachal’s 108 and 102 ambulances, hundreds of pilots, captains, and EMTs are fighting a quieter, desperate battle—for their own survival. Under the banner of CITU, these workers have now begun a five-day strike from April 5 to April 11, demanding that basic labor laws and court orders be finally respected.

Hundreds of them have already gathered in Shimla, starting a sit-in outside the state secretariat in Chhota Shimla. Their message is clear: enough is enough. As a result, ambulance services across the state have come to a complete halt.

Union leaders warn that if their demands aren’t met soon, they will move toward a decisive, more intense struggle.

A Life of 12-Hour Shifts, No Overtime, and Less Than Minimum Wage

Speaking at the protest on the first day, CITU state president Vijender Mehra, general secretary Prem Gautam, treasurer Jagat Ram, along with union president Sunil Kumar and general secretary Balak Ram, painted a grim picture.

“These workers are employed under MedSwan Foundation, which operates under the National Health Mission. But instead of dignity, they face horrific exploitation,” they said.

Even after orders from the Himachal Pradesh High Court, the Labor Court, the CGM Court in Shimla, and the labor office, these employees are not even paid the government-declared minimum wage. They are forced to work 12-hour shifts daily—but receive zero overtime. Basic leaves are denied. EPF and ESI rules are violated. In many cases, both shares of EPF are deducted from the worker’s own salary, cheating them of ₹2,000 every month. Their basic pay itself is shockingly low.

Harassed for Raising Their Voice

When workers try to unionize and demand their rights, the retaliation is swift and cruel. Union leaders are either transferred arbitrarily or mentally tortured until they resign. Many are kept off duty for months without any reason. They are threatened, humiliated, and denied even the leave they are entitled to by law.

“This is blatant violation of the Trade Union Act 1926 and the Industrial Disputes Act 1947,” the leaders added.

A Painful Past, Unpaid Dues

Before MedSwan, these same employees worked for GVK EMRI. When their jobs were terminated or they were retrenched, they received no retrenchment compensation, no gratuity, no notice pay—nothing. Years of service simply vanished.

The union is now demanding:

· Immediate payment of minimum wage as per government rules.
· Double overtime pay for 12-hour workdays.
· All leaves as per labor laws.
· No wage cuts during vehicle maintenance or insurance periods.
· Full implementation of court orders on minimum wage.
· Immediate cancellation of arbitrary transfers.
· Protection of their rights under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution.
· Correction of EPF and ESI irregularities.
· Payment of all legal arrears from both MedSwan and GVK EMRI.
· Continuity of service and seniority benefits for those who moved from GVK EMRI to MedSwan.

“We Save Lives. We Deserve to Live with Dignity.”

Behind every statistic is a real person—a parent, a young breadwinner, a worker who has spent years rushing to accident sites and medical emergencies. But today, they are the ones in crisis. Their strike is not just about money. It is about justice, humanity, and the right to be treated as more than just a pair of hands.