Dhanbad 108 ambulance staff protest over one year of unpaid salary
108 ambulance workers in Dhanbad held a candle march and wore black badges, saying they have received no salary since a new agency took over a year ago.
Employees of the 108 ambulance service in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, protested at Ranadhir Verma Chowk on Friday, 9 October, over pending wages, ETV Bharat reported. The protest was organised by the Dhanbad district unit of the Jharkhand Pradesh Ambulance Karmchari Sangh. Workers wore black badges and held a candle march to draw the government's attention.
According to the workers, they have not been paid for the past one year, since a new agency was given responsibility for the service. They allege that the agency in charge of ambulance maintenance and salary payment is not performing its duties properly, and that poor upkeep of vehicles adds to their hardship.
Demands
- A government-fixed minimum wage for 108 ambulance staff across the state
- Reinstatement of employees who were removed from service
- Provident fund (EPF), ESIC, overtime pay and gratuity benefits
Workers said earlier assurances from the health minister have not been implemented, and that they will continue their struggle until their problems are resolved. The report does not give the number of participants or any response from the health department or the agency.
Why it matters for ambulance owners and drivers
The protest adds to ongoing unrest among 108 staff in Jharkhand over pay and service conditions.
Read the full report at the source: ETV Bharat
This is a summary written by the Ambulance Owner Association. The facts are from the source named above.