108 ambulance workers defer strike after talks with Health Department

The 108 ambulance workers had announced that they would stay away from duty from 10 p.m. on Wednesday (October 14). | Photo Credit: File photo Employees of the 108 Arogya Kavacha ambulance service have temporarily deferred their proposed strike following assurances from Health Department officials that their demands would be discussed with the Health Minister.The employees had announced that they would stay away from duty from 10 p.m. on Wednesday (October 14), citing the government’s failure to address their demands, including a revision of wages. However, the strike was postponed as the Health Minister has gone abroad and talks with him could not be held immediately, said Paramashiva, vice-president of the Suvarna Karnataka Arogya Kavacha (108) Employees’ Association.At a meeting with ambulance employees at Vikas Soudha on Wednesday morning, Health Department Principal Secretary Ritwik Ranjanam Pandey assured them that their demands would be discussed with the Minister and steps taken to address them, Mr. Paramashiva said.The employees have therefore decided to withdraw the strike call for now and continue providing ambulance services as usual, he said.The employees are seeking an annual wage revision, a uniform pay structure across Karnataka and the introduction of a three-shift system for ambulance operations. They have also demanded wages based on seniority and payment of salaries by the seventh of every month, in keeping with labour regulations.Another key demand is compensation of ₹50 lakh for employees who die in accidents while on duty or suffer permanent disability. The association has urged the government to address these demands. Published - October 14, 2026 07:05 pm IST