A REPORTER
SHILLONG: In view of the strike called by the workers of GVK EMRI 108 emergency services and in view of the disruption of life saving emergency services of EMRI, Minister for Health and Family Welfare AL Hek is exploring all options for early resolution of the deadlock. He has also convened a meeting with the EMRI management and the striking workers. Hek has appealed to the striking workers of EMRI to immediately resume services.
Meanwhile, disruption of EMRI 108 services is causing immense hardship and difficulties for the poor, needy and sick patients who have no other means of urgent referral to the nearest health facility in case of medical exigencies.
The strike began all over Meghalaya on July 19, in protest against the alleged adamant attitude of the management of GVK EMRI to address various demands raised by the staff. The union alleged that the management of GVK EMRI is adopting a policy of ‘Hiring and Firing” people instead of addressing the grievances of the emergency workers.
The union also demanded 20 per cent increment of salary, sanctioning of manpower, and local-to-local transfer of staff. The union strongly opposed any move to terminate the services of as many as 12 field staff members who refused to comply with the transfer orders issued by the management. The union also asked the Meghalaya government to take over the emergency service especially when the State government is funding 100 per cent to the GVK EMRI to run the emergency service.