Bhubaneswar, Dec 11: Employees of the 108 ambulance service initiated a statewide strike on Wednesday to press for multiple demands, including equal pay for equal work, job security, and gratuity, among other benefits. The protestors cited grievances over job losses and pay disparities following a change in management. Allegedly, the new company has terminated 96 employee union leaders across the state, sparking demands for their reinstatement.

Adding to their discontent, a special relief package announced by the previous BJD government remains undistributed. The package promised Rs 5,000 monthly allowance for drivers and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Rs 3,000 for helpers, and a special monthly allowance in addition to the basic salary. The current administration’s failure to implement this has fueled the unrest.

Protesters have resorted to switching off GPS systems, operating ambulances offline, which is likely to disrupt emergency services across key areas such as Bhubaneswar, Malkangiri, and Kendrapara. Workers have pledged to sustain the strike until their demands are fulfilled.

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