Bengaluru: '108-Arogya Kavacha' Ambulance Workers Threaten Strike Over Shift System

Ambulance workers threatened to go on strike from August 1 if their old working shifts are not brought back. Ambulance staff under the '108-Arogya Kavacha' scheme demand reinstatement of their old two-shift work system.

As per the information given by Paramashiva and Chandranna, representatives of The Karnataka State 108 Arogya Kavacha Employees' Association, around 35,00 employees are working on an eight-hour, three-shift system on reduced salaries, OnIndia reported. 

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The working hours were reduced from 12 hours to 8 hours from January 1 this year, reducing the salaries of employees as they were working 4 hours less every day, resulting in financial strain on ambulance workers. 

"As per a Government Order, the previous 12-hour two-shift system was cancelled, and from January 1 this year, an eight-hour three-shift system was introduced, along with a salary reduction,"  Chandranna said.

The early morning and late night shifts are causing transport issues for these workers, increasing the problems of workers coming from far-flung areas, particularly from rural areas. "Due to this change, staff working in the 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. shifts are facing difficulties as there is no proper transport facilities available during these hours," Chandranna further explained. 

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The '108-Arogya Kavacha' scheme, working staff feature a considerable share of women employees, making one-third of the total ambulance staff employed under the scheme. These women are heavily affected by the change in shift timing and hours, as travelling in the early morning and late at night has been challenging for them. The association has requested the government to provide a reliable transport system for the employees and make adjustments in salaries.