Ambulance service in 14 districts was severely affected as drivers and paramedical staff of the 108 service launched an indefinite strike on Thursday demanding pay hike. The State Government is yet to act on the issue.
The Ziqitza Health Care limited, the private agency running the service, however, claimed to have made alternative arrangements.
The drivers, helpers and technicians have joined the stir throwing the emergency service out of gear. They put forth a 12-point charter of demands. Apart from demanding a hike in salary, the workers protested the intentional attack during duty period. They also demanded timely payment of their salary.
Ambulance service was affected in Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Angul, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Dhenkanal, Balangir, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Kendrapada and Keonjhar.
The drivers and paramedical staff working with 108 ambulance service decided to go on strike angered by the private agency Government’s and Ziqitza Health Care limited’s indifference to their demands.
Sources said while the driver is getting Rs 4,200 per month, technician is drawing Rs 3,900 per month while a pharmacist is getting Rs 4,400 monthly.
The protesting drivers and paramedical staff have been demanding hike in salary, release of salary first week of every month, security and extra payment for overtime.
Meanwhile, the private agency running the ambulance service stated that it would hire manpower to run system and would urge the concerned district administrations to take appropriate legal action against the protestors.