Alappuzha: The indefinite strike called by 108 ambulance employees associated with National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) Employees Association (CITU) from June 24 has been called off after discussions with the government.
R. Nazar, CPM district secretary and CITU leader, said the decision to withdraw the strike was taken after employees got an assurance from the government on protecting their job. The CPM leaders took the initiative for a discussion with the government on Saturday after employees threatened strike', he said.
As many as 77 ambulance employees including pilots and nursing staff had served a strike notice to the National Rural Health Mission district coordinator the other day.
They called for strike following the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL) renewing the contract of ambulances with a private company called 'GVK EMRI' which had decided to recruit as many as 77 new employees in place of current staff in the district.
The 108 ambulances equipped with the facilities of intensive care unit, ventilator, oxygen cylinders, automatic trolleys, stretchers and other life saving equipment were introduced in the district considering its backwardness in healthcare.
