http://bharatmukti.blogspot.in/2015/03/gvk-emri-crisis-in-goas-health.html
Bharat
Mukti Morcha expresses solidarity and support to the 133 agitating
employees of the GVK EMRI 108 ambulance service system in attached to
the Department of Health Services, Government of Goa that was started on
5th September 2008.
The
employees currently are protesting at Azad Maidan, Panjim with few of
them including women resorting to hunger strike. Bharat Mukti Morcha
delegation led by Maggie Silveira visited the agitating workers on March
29, 2015 and offered words of support. On quick queries it was revealed
that GVK stands for Gopal Venkat Krishna Reddy, and EMRI stands for
Emergency Management Research Institute. The scheme had 33 Ambulances
for the pick ups from 33 spots across the state of Goa.
Employees
in a bid to resolve their grievances formed Union in 2012. Things
headed for confrontation due to non-co-operation of the GVK management
and the employees who hail from all over Goa are jobless from 18
February 2015. 11 committee members (3 females and 8 males) of their
union known as "108 Ambulance Service Employees Union" stands
terminated. Goa CM Parsekar is asking for written apology for protest of
the employees violating ESMA Act to press for their demand. Employees
has refused to tender written apology. The emergency medical Technicians
- 30 females and 30 males along with 70 pilots (drivers) are jobless at
present. These employees are not paid their salaries from the month of
February 2015.
Worker
has been facing various difficulties such as recovery of the cost of
damage to the vehicles while in service. The annual increment of their
salary is just Rs.11/-. The company is classified as non-profit and not
registered with labour department of Goa government even though the
principal employee is Government of Goa.
Employees
disclosed that they are also not given holidays nor maternity leave.
Pregnant women are made to work till the eight month of pregnancy. Women
are also made to work on night duty.
Christopher
Norman Parakha from Uttarkhand in North India was the Head of
Operations when Laxmikant Parsekar was a Health Minister. When Parsekar
took over as Chief Minister of Goa three months ago Parakha drew a
monthly salary of Rs. 51,776/- while workers salaries capped at around
Rs.9,000/-. All salaries are paid by Goa Government. Chief Minister
Parsekar immediately after his swearing-in-ceremony got Parakha as his
Officer on Special duty (OSD) to the office of the Chief Minister (CM).
It
may be noted that GVK has also submitted tender for Mopa Airport
construction that Parsekar is pushing strongly for in eastern Pernem.
GVK was awarded the contract of 108 Ambulance service of Health
department without any tender and without permission from labour
department.
Bharat Mukti Morcha has taken note of the following points raised by the
workers:
1. All 33 stations to be operated efficiently in public interest with good
quality drugs and on board facilities.
2. Security to be provided to the ambulance field employees, at least for
female employees.
3.
Contract with GVK EMRI need to be scrapped and a corporation under the
control of state Government to be formed and the 108 Emergency service
to be operated under the corporation.
4.
Till the formation of the corporation the GVK company the present
contractor should revoke all termination unconditionally and reinstate
the worker with continuity I service, Back Wages and other consequential
benefits.
5. The present contractor should sign a MoU with Union to this effect.
6. All labour laws applicable to the employees be implemented with immediate
effect.
Currently
around 5 ambulances are in operation with staff brought in from
Telangana and provided police protection. Police protection was never
provided to agitating employees from Goa in spite of requests while they
were on duty.
It
looks as if the Chief Minister of Goa Laxmikant Parsekar is not only
the captive slave of Defense Minister of India Bamon Manohar Parrikar
but also of the Parakha, his choice OSD for the greater ruin of public
interest, Public Health and labour interest. Ruling Party BJP was
started and continues to be under control of Bamons.
