GVK EMRI Plea To Stop Protest And Start Talks In Meghalaya

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: The management of the 108 Emergency Services in Meghalaya has appealed to all field staff to call off the their protest.

GVK EMRI, Meghalaya, while urging the workers to resume work stated that this would ensure quality emergency service that is dedicated to the “mission of saving lives”.

It may be pointed out that the workers of GVK EMRI, Meghalaya, organized under Meghalaya EMRI Workers Union (MEMRIWU), had given a strike notice to the management owing to ‘non-response’ of the management to their various demands highlighted in the charter of demands submitted in December 6 last year.

According to the management, in view of the media reports with regards to the strike notice by 108 field staff, the Meghalaya government has promulgated the Meghalaya Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1980 (as amended; vide notification No POL..354/86/Pt/239 dated 1st March 2019) with immediate effect prohibiting strikes by the field staff of GVK EMRI.

“Any disruption of the 108 emergency response services will be dealt with in accordance to the Meghalaya Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1980 (No.23 of 1980) read as Meghalaya Essential Services Maintenance (Amendment) Act, 2003,” the GVK EMRI, Meghalaya threatened.

The management pointed out that the 108 emergency service operationalised by GVK EMRI on behalf of the Government Of Meghalaya, caters to medical, police and fire emergencies was brought under Meghalaya Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1980 (as amended ) declaring the emergency services as “Essential Services” for the purpose of the said act vide notification No. Health223/2008/38 dated 4th June 2010.

The management pointed out that the GVK EMRI State office had called the workers several times for discussion and to update them on the various grievances of the field staff but that did not materialize.

The office also issued official letters to all the field staff.

“Section of employees reported for discussion and were appraised on the status of resolutions to various grievances and have understood the current status,” the management said.

The management said the 108 Emergency Service is a people’s service and GVK EMRI is open to discussions and working as a team with all employees.

“The Chief Minister has assured to resolve the new wages and replacement of ambulances at the earliest in the last meeting held on February 22,” the management said.

Also read: Meghalaya news