The State Government on Monday declared 108/102 ambulance operation an “essential service” under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), 1988 to prohibit strike in the medical ambulance service.
The Home Department issued a notification to this effect. It will be in force for six months. This means that workers employed under the emergency medical ambulance service cannot go on any kind of strike from Wednesday.
While 108 ambulance service deals with emergency services, 102 ambulance transports pregnant women to hospitals.
“In exercise of the power conferred by sub-section (1) of Section -3 read with Section-2 of the Orissa Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1988 (Orissa Act 9 of 1992), the State Government do hereby prohibit strikes in the cessation of work by the workers/crew members engaged for running emergency Medical Ambulance Service run by the Government either by itself or through an agency including 108/102 Ambulance Services. The order shall remain in force for a period of six months with effect from 1.8.2017,” said the notification.
Earlier on several occasions, employees of the 108 ambulance service comprising drivers, helpers and medical technicians resorted to strike demanding fulfilment of their demands, including payment of minimum guaranteed wages, a 15-per cent annual increment and construction of rest sheds for them.