Begusarai: Ambulance workers in Begusarai staged a protest on Thursday, demanding their overdue salaries and the implementation of an eight-point charter of demands. The demonstration began with a rally in the Sadar Hospital premises, followed by a sit-in near the district health committee office, where workers shouted slogans and submitted a memorandum.
Four Months of Unpaid Salaries
The workers claim they have not received their salaries for the past four months. Responsibility for operating the 102 ambulance service was transferred to Ziqitza Health Care Mumbai by the Bihar State Health Society on November 1, 2024. Ziqitza then outsourced the service to ZENPLUS. Since the transition, employees in Begusarai have received no updates about their wages.
Adding to the distress, the previous operator, Pashupati Nath Distributors Private Limited (PDPL), left without paying salaries for one month and additional wages for 17 months of overtime work.
Violation of Labour Laws
Protesters allege that the operating agency is violating Bihar’s labour laws. Employees are frequently forced to strike for wages, contributions, and other benefits. The demonstrators have demanded the following:
1. Appointment letters for all workers, effective from November 1, 2024.
2. Enforcement of labour laws by ZENPLUS.
3. Immediate payment of pending dues from PDPL.
4. Overtime payments for 12-hour shifts.
5. A group accident insurance policy worth ₹25 lakh for all workers.
6. ESIC cards for drivers and EMTs.
7. No wage deductions for vehicle breakdowns.
8. ₹2,000 in advance for ambulance maintenance and cleaning.
Workers Speak Out
Union President Ramanand Kumar emphasized that salary payments are the workers’ primary demand. “We are starving. Why haven’t we been paid for four months? Who decides our wages, and why has it not been addressed?” he asked.
The workers expressed their struggles, citing school expulsions for non-payment of fees and shopkeepers refusing credit for essentials. “The government and the district administration must answer why we, who work in emergency services, have not been paid for four months,” said one protester.
A Call for Accountability
The protesters accused the health department of colluding with corporate agencies to privatize emergency services, leading to “oppressive policies” against workers. They urged Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the health department, and local authorities to address their grievances immediately.
