108 Ambulance Staff Warn Of Mass Resignation As Health Minister Issues Warning

The dispute involving 108 ambulance employees in Karnataka has intensified, with staff warning that they could collectively resign if their demands are not addressed within 15 days. The employees have raised concerns about salaries, working arrangements and facilities provided to staff.

Among their main demands is an annual revision of salaries for 108 ambulance employees. They are also seeking proper ambulance facilities for three shift operations and changes to the existing zone based salary structure. The employees want a uniform zone system instead of different salary arrangements based on zones.

The issue has now drawn a strong response from Health Minister UT Khader. Reacting to the mass resignation warning, the minister said employees could raise their concerns, but patients should not be left without emergency assistance because of any dispute.

The minister made it clear that the government would take the matter seriously if patients were affected during any protest or work stoppage. He said emergency medical services could not be allowed to suffer because of an employment related dispute.

The employees have submitted a wider list of demands. One of the major requests is compensation of Rs 50 lakh for the families of staff members who die in accidents while performing their duties.

They are also seeking salary fixation based on seniority. Another demand is that monthly salaries should be paid on or before the seventh day of every month, in line with labour department requirements.

Providing proper rest rooms for ambulance staff is another issue raised by the employees. Their demands indicate concerns not only about pay but also about the working conditions faced by personnel who provide emergency services.

The employees have given the authorities a 15 day period to respond to their demands. If there is no satisfactory action within that period, they have warned of collective resignations.

The health minister, however, said the government does not directly handle the operation and maintenance of the 108 ambulance fleet. According to him, the company responsible for operating the service manages staff salaries and other related responsibilities.

He advised drivers and other employees who have issues with their employment conditions to first approach the company. If the company fails to resolve their concerns, they can then raise the matter with the government, he said.

Khader also indicated that the government would not allow the ambulance service to be disrupted. He said the agency operating the service must be able to manage its employees and provide uninterrupted emergency assistance.

If the existing company cannot handle the situation, the government could consider ending its involvement and inviting another company through the tender process, according to the minister.

At the same time, Khader described the ambulance staff as being like members of the same wider public service family. However, he stressed that the health and safety of patients must remain the priority.

The warning comes because 108 ambulances play an important role in responding to medical emergencies, accidents and other urgent situations. Any prolonged disruption could potentially affect people who depend on the service for timely transportation and emergency support.

The disagreement therefore puts pressure on both the employees and the service operator to find a solution before the situation escalates. The staff are seeking improvements in pay and working conditions, while the government is focused on ensuring that emergency services continue without interruption.

For the employees, the next 15 days could be important as they wait for a response to their demands. For the government and the service operator, resolving the concerns without affecting patients will remain the immediate challenge.

The dispute highlights the difficult balance involved in essential emergency services, where employee concerns need to be addressed while uninterrupted assistance to patients must also be maintained.