Ambulance staff to continue strike

Ambulance services are likely to be affected on Sunday as well with the drivers and paramedical staff of the 108 services deciding to continue the strike that began on Friday night. Close to 2,400 members managing 517 ambulances are expected to take part in a major rally at Freedom Park on Sunday, giving rise to fear of disruption of services.

Apart from their demand for better pay, the protesters are demanding nothing short of the termination of contract of the State government with GVK EMRI.

Speaking to

The Hindu on Saturday, R. Sridhar, State president, Karnataka Rajya Arogya Kavacha 108 Naukara Sangha, said protests against the company were taking place not just in Karnataka, but also in other States like Andhra Pradesh. “We are asking for our rights, not demanding anything that is not ours,” he added.

Across State

He also said that ambulance services across the State had been hit severely.

On the other hand, S.S. Perveez, head of marketing, GVK EMRI, said at least 50 per cent of the staff had attended work on Saturday. “We had also sourced other alternatives from the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and government medical colleges. But about Sunday, we would like to wait and watch. We do have a plan in place though,” Mr. Sridhar added.