1 hr ago
Kerala Minister Rejects Planned Kaniv-108 Ambulance Drivers’ Strike
Kaniv-108 ambulance workers in Kerala have announced a strike over their wages.
Health Minister K Muraleedharan said the strike should not happen.
He said ambulances carry people who may need urgent medical help.
The minister warned that the government would act to protect patients.
He also said the workers are employed by a private agency operating under a government contract.
The government had earlier discussed the workers’ demands and reached an agreement with them.
Muraleedharan said workers should meet officials instead of using threats.
He denied that political leaders would automatically receive Health Department jobs.
He also criticized the CPI(M) after its assembly election defeat.
Health Minister K Muraleedharan warned Kaniv-108 drivers and employees against striking over wage demands.
The minister said emergency ambulance strikes could endanger patients with critical health needs.
Muraleedharan said the government had previously intervened and reached an agreement with employees.
He said the ambulance personnel are employed by the contracted operating agency, not directly by the government.
The minister also denied that Health Department posts would be handed to Congress leaders and criticized the CPI(M)’s response to its election defeat.
- Who
- Kaniv-108 ambulance drivers and employees, and Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan.
- What
- Drivers and employees announced a strike over wage demands, while the minister warned that the government would not allow the strike.
- Where
- Kerala, with Muraleedharan speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram.
- When
- The warning was issued on Sunday; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Why
- Employees cited wage demands, while the minister said a strike could put the lives of critically ill patients at risk.
Government position
Employees’ position
Whether a strike should proceed
Government position
Muraleedharan said no strike could be permitted in the emergency ambulance service because patients’ lives might be put at risk.
Employees’ position
Kaniv-108 drivers and employees announced a strike to press their wage demands.
Responsibility for the workers
Government position
The minister said the personnel are not government employees and were appointed by the agency contracted to operate the service.
Employees’ position
The employees are seeking action on their employment-related wage demands from the service’s management.
Negotiation approach
Government position
Muraleedharan said the government had already intervened and reached an agreement, and told workers not to use threats.
Employees’ position
The employees continued raising their demands after the earlier agreement, according to the minister.
Key facts
- Service
- Kaniv-108 emergency ambulance service
- Dispute
- Drivers and employees announced a strike over wage demands.
- Government position
- Health Minister K Muraleedharan said a strike could not be allowed because the service handles critical patients.
- Earlier intervention
- Muraleedharan said the government had previously intervened after a strike notice and reached an agreement with employees.
- Employment status
- The ambulance personnel were appointed by the agency that received the operating contract, rather than directly by the government.
- Appointments
- Muraleedharan said Health Department posts would be given to qualified individuals under government guidelines.
- Political comments
- He said Pinarayi Vijayan was a “blessing” for the United Democratic Front and criticized the CPI(M)’s response to its assembly election defeat.
Quotes
K Muraleedharan
Kerala Health Minister
“Under no circumstances can a strike be allowed in this field, because these are patients. The 108 ambulance service is for people with health distress and critical needs. So doesn't the government have a responsibility to protect those patients? We will have to go to any length for that.”
deccanchronicle.com
“We will not allow anyone to play with patients' lives. The government holds a firm stand on this, and we will go to any extent.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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