LUCKNOW: Patients in need of emergency vehicles continued to bear brunt of the tussle between the ambulance employees’ association and the service provider agency for the fifth consecutive day on Friday.
While the GVK EMRI – the service provider for state run 102-108 ambulance service – announced that it will recruit new staff to replace employees sacked for striking work, the agitating staff organised a demonstration in support of their demands.
In a press statement, TVS Reddy, vice-president, GVK EMRI, said, “The striking employees have been given time till Saturday morning to resume work failing which we will start the process to recruit new staff from the afternoon.” He also said services have been normalised in 50 out of 75 districts in the state.
Meanwhile, ambulance employees from all across the state gathered for the demonstration at Eco Garden demanding job security and better wages. “We also want the agency to take back 700 employees who have been sacked from the service and withdraw police cases. We will not relent till demands are met,” said Shadab Khan, association’s spokesperson.
Though officials claimed that all the 78 ambulances in Lucknow are now being run with the help of the district administration, TOI in its reality check found that amid this crisis many people had to find alternative means to take their patients to hospitals.
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