108 Ambulance service that started in Punjab in the year 2011, are stationed and wheel blocked at one place in Ludhiana after the announcement of indefinite strike.
Protesting against their nonacceptance of demands, 108 Ambulance union have taken this step. Ambulances from the entire state have been stationed at Ladhowal Toll Plaza. They are protesting against their long pending demands. President of 108 Ambulance Employees Union, Manpreet Nijjer said that after conception of 108 ambulance service in the year 2011 and since 2013, they have not got any annual increment.
Every company, department gives a 10 percent annual increment when they are working on meager salary. “We have been working for 12 hours at a stretch. If any employee tries to raise his voice against this injustice then he is either thrown out of the job or transferred. No help is provided to the family, in case any employee dies during the accident. His insurance is provided. During Covid, we did our duties without any hitch and many employees tested positive as well but no special allowance or appreciation was given to us,” said Nijjer. “We have not been given any casual or privilege leave and now weekly offs are also being cancelled,” said Nijjer.
The main demands of the employees is to eliminate the contract system and include them under regular employees, salaries to be increased to Rs 30-35,000 on Haryana government pattern, employees who have been expelled should be called back, 10 per cent annual increment, accidental insurance of employees and job on compassionate basis should be provided.
