Some vested interests propagating false rumors: ZHL

Chandigarh, May 23, 2014: Some vested interests are propagating false rumors that ZHL - the operator of 108 Ambulance Service in Punjab is not complying with the Minimum Wages Act in Punjab. The total of basic wages and other allowances that is being paid by Ziqitza Healthcare Limited (ZHL) and / or its contractors to its ambulance crew in Punjab is either equal to or more than the total of the revised basic wages and special allowance as notified by the Government of Punjab time to time.

According to an official release issued by the company today, says, some employees in their vested interest trying to disrupt the emergence services, and either denying the emergency calls or making the ambulances off road and putting the lives of the needy people in the danger and going for the strike without any notice.

ZHL is operating the 108 emergency ambulance service in Punjab wherein sick and injured persons, many of them critical, are being transported. The staff operating the 108 ambulances although may be present in the ambulance for more than 8 hours (which includes the spread over time as well), the actual working hours in which the staff shall operate the ambulance is much less than 8 hours. The Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961 permits an Employer registered under the Act to employ its staff for more than 8 hours including the spread over time. In Punjab, ZHL is an undertaking registered under the Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961 and the Punjab Motor Transport Workers Rules, 1963.

The 108 ambulance service is a life saving Emergency Service in the State of Punjab and any disruption in the operation of the 108 ambulances is going to effect the common people in the State of Punjab aggravating medical conditions and even potentially causing loss of lives. Further, the act of threatening the 108 Ambulance staff by some vested interest is patently illegal.

It further says, “We regret for the disruption in the services, and In the meantime, ZHL shall continue to provide emergency transport to individuals calling the 108 Ambulance Control Room using the services of the committed and disciplined staff. ZHL is also making arrangements with independent private Ambulance operators to transport individuals in medical emergencies in case of any illegal disruption by the vested interests working to sabotage the functioning of the 108 Ambulance service in Punjab.”