The State Government has warned the workers of 108 Ambulances of Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) if they go in for a cease-work agitation from Friday midnight demanding filfilment of their seven-point charter of demands.
Around 900 workers, including drivers of the 108 Ambulances, have threatened to resort to agitation.
“District Collectors would invoke ESMA by looking at the situation,” said National Health Mission (NHM) Additional Director Saroj Samal.
“Despite repeated appeals to look into our demands, the State Government has not paid any heed, forcing us to go on strike from midnight of Friday,” said association president Sisir Kumar Patra, adding that instead of sorting out the problems the Government warned of invoking the ESMA.
The association has been demanding hike in salary, protection measures and other basic amenities for its members.
In January, the workers of 108 Ambulance service had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister. On February 2, the workers of the emergency service again submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, the Health Minister and the district Collectors.
Following this, on February 9, the Government issued a notice stating that 102 and 108 Ambulance services have come under the ESMA.