Health Minister K. Muraleedharan has appealed to the Home Minister to invoke ESMA to counter a planned 24-hour strike by 108 ambulance workers. The dispute over bonuses threatens to disrupt critical emergency medical transport across the state.
In a move to safeguard the state's emergency medical infrastructure, Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan has written to Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala seeking the immediate invocation of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). This urgent request follows the announcement of a massive strike by ambulance workers that threatens to paralyze life-saving services.
The Kerala State 108 Ambulance Employees Union has scheduled a 24-hour strike beginning at 8:00 AM on September 17 and lasting until 8:00 AM on September 18. The labor unrest is centered on a dispute regarding the disbursement of bonuses for the 2025-26 period. The government has indicated it will take stringent measures, noting that frequent protests by various organizations are causing undue hardship to patients.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the 108 ambulance service is not merely a transport utility but a critical pillar of Kerala's emergency healthcare ecosystem. It is the primary lifeline for accident victims, patients in critical condition, and emergency childbirth cases. Any disruption to this network can lead to fatal delays in medical intervention, effectively turning a labor dispute into a public health crisis.
Administrative grievances or labour disputes should not be weaponized to paralyze emergency healthcare.
The service provider, EMRI-GHS, has taken a hardline stance, issuing directives to all personnel to cease any refusal of trips, including inter-facility transfers. Despite formal show-cause letters, reports suggest some staff members are still boycotting trips, which management claims is severely impacting the state’s critical emergency transport network.
Historical Background
The Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) is a powerful legislative tool used by state governments to ensure that services vital to the public interest—such as water, electricity, and healthcare—continue uninterrupted. By invoking ESMA, the government can legally prohibit strikes in these sectors and prosecute those who participate in industrial actions that threaten public safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the duration of the proposed ambulance strike?
The strike is scheduled for 24 hours, from 8:00 AM on September 17 to 8:00 AM on September 18.
2. What is the main reason behind the strike?
The strike is being organized by the union due to a dispute regarding bonuses for the 2025-26 year.
