Bengaluru: Employees of Karnataka’s 108 ambulance service have called off their proposed strike after the state Health Department assured them that most of their demands would be considered for phased implementation.

The decision followed a meeting between representatives of the Suvarna Karnataka Arogya Kavacha 108 Employees’ Union and Health Department Principal Secretary Ritwik Pandey at Vikas Soudha. Officials assured the union that its concerns would be discussed with Health Minister U T Khader after he returns to Bengaluru.

The proposed strike had raised concerns about a possible disruption to emergency ambulance services across the state. Following the discussions, officials appealed to the employees to continue providing services to the public while efforts were made to resolve their grievances.

Government assurance prompts withdrawal

Paramashiva, vice-president of the union, said the assurance given during the meeting had prompted the employees to withdraw their planned protest.

“Officials told us not to go on strike and assured us that our demands would be addressed. They said the issues would be discussed with the Health Minister after he returns to Bengaluru. Since emergency services are important to the public, we have decided to withdraw the strike,” he said.

The union had been pressing for action on several unresolved issues relating to employees’ service conditions, salaries and welfare benefits.

The Health Department’s assurance has temporarily eased the standoff, although the proposed measures will depend on further discussions with the minister and subsequent government decisions.

Employees seek uniform salary structure

The union’s charter of demands includes annual salary revisions and a uniform pay structure for employees working across different zones.

Workers have objected to zone-based salary differences and sought a system that ensures consistent pay for employees performing similar duties.

Another key demand is compensation of Rs 50 lakh for the families of employees who die in accidents. The union has also sought the provision of ambulance vehicles to facilitate operations across three shifts.

The employees have argued that their service conditions and welfare provisions need to be addressed as part of efforts to ensure the effective functioning of the emergency ambulance network.

Dispute over GVK arrangement

The union also raised concerns regarding the arrangement with GVK, the agency involved in operating the 108 ambulance service.

Paramashiva said the government had the option of cancelling its agreement with the agency if it chose to do so. He also indicated that employees were prepared to continue working without salaries until a new tender was awarded.

The remarks reflect the union’s concerns over the existing operational arrangement and its demand for a resolution that addresses employees’ interests.

However, no final decision on the agency agreement or the proposed tender process was announced following the meeting.

Implementation of demands awaits further discussions

The Health Department has assured the union that most of its demands would be taken up for phased implementation. The issues are expected to be discussed with Health Minister U T Khader after his return to Bengaluru.

The proposed strike has been withdrawn for now, allowing the ambulance service to continue without the immediate threat of an employee protest.

The next steps will depend on the outcome of discussions with the minister and the government’s decisions on salary revisions, compensation, shift arrangements and other service-related demands.