Karnataka’s 108 ambulance staff have decided to suspend services from 8 pm on September 22 and submit mass resignations, after the 15-day deadline they gave the government ended without action on their demands. The proposed shutdown could disrupt emergency medical transport in Bengaluru and across the state.
The employees are seeking annual salary revision, a uniform pay structure and compensation for staff who die in accidents while on duty. According to the report, the Health Department and the state government have not responded to the demands despite the deadline issued by the ambulance workforce.
The staff have said they will completely stop the 108 ambulance service if their demands are not accepted. The service is used to transport patients during medical emergencies, making the proposed stoppage an immediate operational concern for people who depend on government-supported emergency response.
The employees’ demands include annual salary increases and revision of pay, along with the abolition of zone-based salary differences. They are seeking a uniform salary for staff across locations and want pay to be fixed according to seniority. They have also demanded that monthly salaries be paid by the seventh day of every month, in line with labour department rules.
The workforce has called for suitable vehicle arrangements to enable staff to work across three shifts. Other demands include a compensation of ₹50 lakh for the families of employees who die in accidents while performing their duties, proper rest-room facilities for staff and changes to shift timings.
The demands point to operational conditions that affect not only ambulance personnel but also the continuity of emergency transport. Three-shift operations require sufficient vehicles and staffing capacity, while rest facilities and predictable wage payments are part of the basic arrangements needed to keep a round-the-clock service functioning.
The proposed action also places responsibility on the health administration to clarify how emergency ambulance coverage will be maintained if the suspension goes ahead. The report does not specify whether the government has announced an alternative arrangement, initiated negotiations or issued instructions to prevent disruption.
The staff’s decision follows the expiry of the 15-day notice period and is scheduled to begin at 8 pm on September 22. The next official step will depend on whether the Health Department or the state government responds to the demands before the proposed service stoppage.
