108 strike called off; services back on track

HYDERABAD: Much to the relief of the people of the state, employees of GVKEMRI called off their strike on Sunday with the management agreeing to several of their demands.The 4,000-odd employees will resume duties from Monday and 715 ambulances spanning 23 districts will be in operation right from the morning.The management agreed to increase the salaries by 6 per cent with effect from this month for the remainder of the current financial year.The increase will be 10 per cent from the next financial year till the end of GVK's 5-year contract with the state government. It also agreed to provide accident insurance cover to all the employees and assist them get bail if any ambulance meets with an accident. It also agreed to transfer employees to their native districts if vacancies exist there.Though the management rejected many demands, the employees had little option since almost all of them depend on monthly salaries for sustenance. “We can not afford to continue the strike for even a single day more as it is difficult to feed the family without salary,'' an employee told Express.Though the GVK-EMRI agreed to provide insurance coverage, they did not agree to pay the compensation if any employee dies in an accident while on duty.Though the management threatened to invoke ESMA against the striking employees and to take action according to labour laws, it refused to treat them as government contract employees to pay salaries as per GO NO 3.The 6 pc salary hike is effective from this month and not from the beginning of the current financial year, ie April.While rejecting another demand for reduction in the working hours from twelve to eight hours a day, it refused to pay extra payment for extra working hours.Employees' association secretary Ch Varaprasad said that they had no alternative since many employees were dependent on monthly salaries and were not able to continue the protest any more.Demands* status of government contract employees and payment of salaries as per GO No.3 * Hike in salary of Pilot (ambulance driver) from Rs 6,500 to Rs 9,200, and  of  Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) from Rs 7,200 to Rs 12,900.* Reduction in working hours from 12 to 8 hours a shift in accordance with labour laws * Posting in native districts for better performance* Bail to the driver if a speeding ambulance meets with an accident n Insurance coverage and compensation in case of injuries in accidents * Replacement of vehicles older than 6 years as they cannot be run as ambulances * Employment protection and no removal of a single employee without government’s knowledge.