Assam's emergency services crippled as 108 ambulance staff continue strike

Guwahati: Emergency medical services across Assam have been paralyzed for a second consecutive day, Tuesday, as nearly 3,000 employees of the vital 108 Mrityunjoy ambulance service continue their indefinite statewide strike.

The agitation, which began on December 1, is pressing the state government for job regularisation, fair wages, and the immediate payment of pending overtime dues.

Hundreds of employees from various districts have gathered at the protest site in Chachal, Guwahati, keeping ambulance operations suspended across the state.

The critical network, which is the backbone of Assam's emergency healthcare system for both urban and rural areas, has been brought to a complete halt.

Years of "Broken Assurances"

Organized by the All Assam 108 Mrityunjoy Employee Association, the strike is the result of what workers describe as years of unfulfilled assurances and ignored appeals by the state government.

“For three years we have approached officials and even the Chief Minister. During Covid, we were recognised as frontline workers, yet today our wages remain comparable to factory labour,” stated one of the protesters, highlighting the disparity in recognition and pay.

The employees, who have served as frontline emergency responders since the service's inception, reiterated concerns over job insecurity, low compensation, and consistent violations of labour norms, including mandatory 12-hour shifts without proper overtime compensation.

Key Demands from Workers

The Association's primary demands centre on bringing the critical service under full government control and ensuring worker welfare.

These demands include Job Regularisation for nearly 3,000 employees, Fair Wages equivalent to highly skilled workers, Full Overtime Pay for 12-hour shifts, and Welfare Access which covers inclusion in state welfare schemes such as Apon Ghar and Seuji Ghar, as well as an annual bonus.

Association representatives confirmed that despite submitting multiple memorandums and holding discussions with officials, including meetings with the Chief Minister and the Health Department, no concrete or satisfactory decision has been reached.

Public and Healthcare Impact

The abrupt suspension of the 108 service has raised severe concerns about access to emergency medical care across Assam. Patients and their families are scrambling for alternatives, expressing worry over potential life-threatening delays in reaching hospitals.

Healthcare facilities, especially those in remote and underserved regions, also rely heavily on the 108 network for timely patient transfers. Local residents have voiced their worries that the continuing absence of these services could have severe consequences for those in need of urgent care.

Workers maintain that operations will remain suspended until the government fulfils their demands. As the disruption continues, the public and healthcare professionals alike are urging both sides to find an immediate resolution to restore the essential life-saving ambulance services.