Kerala seeks emergency powers to avert ambulance services strike

The Kerala Health Minister has written to the Home Minister requesting intervention under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to prevent ambulance workers from downing tools and disrupting emergency medical services across the state.

The Kerala State 108 Ambulance Employees Union announced the 24-hour strike beginning 8 a.m. on September 17, raising concerns about the impact on emergency response capacity. Ambulance services form a critical component of the state's healthcare infrastructure, transporting patients during medical emergencies.

The move by the Health Ministry underscores the government's determination to maintain continuity of ambulance operations during the industrial action. ESMA provisions typically prohibit strikes in essential services deemed critical for public welfare, allowing the state to enforce compliance during work stoppages.

The development reflects ongoing tensions between the state government and ambulance service employees over pending grievances. The union's strike call indicates an escalation in the dispute, prompting the administration to seek legal recourse to protect emergency healthcare access.

With the strike deadline imminent, authorities are working to resolve the underlying issues while preparing contingency measures to ensure ambulance availability across Kerala's districts.