Himachal 108 and 102 Ambulance Employees Union, affiliated with CITU, went on a state-wide strike

Himachal Pradesh 108 and 102 Ambulance Employees Union, affiliated with CITU, went on a state-wide strike to demand the implementation of labor laws and judicial orders, payment of minimum wages, an end to employee harassment, and the fulfillment of other demands. The strike lasted for twenty-four hours. During this period, ambulance services were disrupted across the state. During the strike, massive demonstrations were held at all district headquarters in the state. A strong protest was held at the office of the Managing Director of the National Health Mission in Shimla. Hundreds of employees participated in the protest. The union met with the Managing Director of the National Health Mission Himachal Pradesh, Shri Pradeep Kumar, and submitted a twelve-point charter of demands. The Managing Director has assured a swift resolution to the demands. The union has warned that if the demands are not met soon, the union will escalate to a decisive struggle. The union has cautioned that if employees are harassed, upon the union’s call, employees will launch an even bigger strike.

Addressing the demonstration, CITU State President Vijendra Mehra, State Vice President Jagat Ram, District President Kuldeep Dogra, Treasurer Balak Ram, District Secretary Vivek Kashyap, and Union General Secretary Balak Ram stated that hundreds of pilots, captains, and EMT employees working under the Medswaven Foundation, the main employer under the NHM, are victims of severe exploitation. The extent of exploitation is such that these employees do not even receive the minimum wage declared by the government. These employees are made to work twelve-hour duties but are not paid overtime wages. Despite orders from the Himachal Pradesh High Court, Labor Court, CGM Court Shimla, and the Labor Office, the exploitation of these employees has persisted for several years. When workers raise their voices through their union to resolve their demands, they are harassed mentally and through other means. Leading union employees are either transferred or mentally harassed and forced to resign from their jobs. Many employees are kept off duty for several months without any reason. They are threatened and intimidated. They are not given leaves as per rules. There are also major errors in the implementation of their EPF and ESI. Both shares of EPF are being deducted from the employees, cheating them of two thousand rupees every month. Their basic salary within the total salary is also low. All other types of labor laws are being severely violated. Before Medswaven Foundation, these employees were working with GVK EMRI. Upon termination or end of service from GVK EMRI company, these employees were not paid retrenchment compensation, gratuity, notice pay, and other types of arrears. Thus, these employees are severely exploited.

They have demanded that employees be paid the minimum wage as per government rules. For working twelve hours, double overtime wages should be paid as per rules. Employees should be provided all leaves as per rules. Employees’ salaries should not be cut during vehicle maintenance and insurance, and they should be paid their full salary. The orders of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, Labor Court, CJM Court Shimla, and the Labor Department regarding minimum wages should be implemented immediately. They said that by bypassing the provisions of the Trade Union Act 1926 and the Industrial Disputes Act 1947, union leaders are being harassed. When workers raise their voices through their union to resolve their demands, they are harassed mentally and through other means. Leading union employees are either transferred or mentally harassed and forced to resign from their jobs. Many employees are kept off duty for several months without any reason. They are threatened and intimidated. This should be stopped immediately, and the rights of employees under Article 19 and Article 21 of the Constitution should be protected. Their transfers should be canceled immediately. There are major errors in the implementation of employees’ EPF and ESI. These should be rectified immediately. The basic salary of employees within the total salary is also low. This should be corrected. Before Medswaven Foundation, these employees were working with GVK EMRI. Either continuity of service and seniority benefits should be provided to these employees, or the retrenchment compensation, gratuity, notice pay, and other benefits that were not paid to these employees upon termination or end of service after years of service with GVK EMRI company should be paid immediately. The legal arrears for the underpaid wages to employees during their jobs with Medswaven Foundation and GVK EMRI should be paid immediately. All types of laws should be implemented.