Shimla, April 6 Ambulance services across Himachal Pradesh were disrupted on Monday as workers went on a five-day strike, demanding the revocation of the four new labor codes and a guaranteed minimum wage.
The 108 and 102 ambulance workers, affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU), also demanded an end to the harassment they were facing.
As part of the protest, hundreds of workers gathered at Chotta Shimla near the Himachal Pradesh State Secretariat, raising slogans against the government over the non-fulfilment of their demands.
State President of CITU, Vijender Mehra, addressing the protesters, alleged that pilots, captains, and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) employed under the MedSwan Foundation, a key agency working under the National Health Mission, are being severely exploited, which should immediately end.
He claimed that workers are being denied minimum wages mandated by the government and are compelled to work 12-hour shifts without any overtime compensation.
"What's surprising is that the exploitation is continuing despite orders from the High Court of Himachal Pradesh, the Labour Court, Shimla's CJM Court, and the Labour Office," Mehra said.
He further alleged that workers who raise their voices are subjected to mental harassment, with union leaders being transferred or pressured to resign.
"Many workers are being kept off duty for months without reason, while others are being threatened and are also being denied mandated leaves," he added.
Mehra also said that there are serious irregularities in the implementation of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPF) and the Employees' State Insurance (ESI), as both employer and employee contributions are being deducted from workers' wages, resulting in a monthly loss of around Rs 2,000.
He further said that the workers will continue with their movement until the government ensures minimum wages along with double overtime pay for 12-hour shifts, and abolishes the four labor codes.
