DHARAMSHALA: Critical emergency medical services across Himachal Pradesh faced significant disruption starting Tuesday (May 27, 2025) night as staff operating the state’s 108 and 102 ambulance services launched a 24-hour strike.
The protest, which began at 8 pm, is scheduled to continue until the same time on Wednesday, severely affecting patient transport and emergency response across the state.
The strike has been called by the Ambulance Workers’ Union affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), citing serious violations of labor rights. Workers allege non-compliance with judicial orders, denial of minimum wages and consistent workplace harassment under the Medswan Foundation, which operates the ambulance services under the National Health Mission (NHM).
Workers demand wage justice and job security
Union leaders claim that despite repeated appeals and court rulings, their basic demands — such as payment of legal minimum wages and overtime for 12-hour shifts — have been ignored. They also demand that salaries not be withheld during vehicle maintenance or insurance periods, and that workers be granted paid leave according to government labor norms.
The strike decision remained firm after a recent meeting between the union, NHM officials, and representatives of Medswan Foundation failed to yield a resolution. During the strike, no drivers or emergency medical technicians (EMTs) will report to duty, union representatives confirmed.
Protests across key locations in the state
To intensify pressure, the union has announced demonstrations on May 28 at all district headquarters, the NHM Director’s office in Shimla, and Medswan Foundation’s state office in Darlaghat, Solan.
Union leaders have warned that the agitation could escalate further if authorities continue to neglect their demands and fail to address the alleged harassment of staff.
CITU state president Vijender Mehra, general secretary Prem Gautam and other union leaders, including Jagat Ram, Kuldeep Dogra and Sunil Dutt, have reiterated that hundreds of drivers, pilots, and EMTs working under Medswan are subjected to exploitative work conditions. Workers often put in long hours without receiving any overtime compensation, they allege.
Legal orders ignored, say protesters
The union has pointed to several legal directives from the Himachal Pradesh High Court, labor courts, and the Labour Department mandating the enforcement of fair wage and working hour regulations.
These orders, they claim, remain largely unimplemented. Additionally, there are concerns about workers being arbitrarily removed from duty for extended periods without explanation—an issue the union demands must end immediately.
As the strike continues, patients and families across Himachal Pradesh are left to face the consequences, highlighting the urgent need for the state to address labor grievances in essential health services without further delay.
Pallavi Sharma
