Emergency ambulance services likely to halt across Rajasthan as staff announce strike

Jaipur: Emergency medical response services in Rajasthan are set to face a major disruption, with employees operating the state’s 108 and 104 ambulance networks announcing a complete work stoppage starting midnight on December 28. The strike comes amid growing discontent over proposed changes in a new government tender that employees say will reduce wages and increase working hours.

The ambulance staff union has warned that unless their demands are addressed, more than 1,600 ambulances providing free emergency services across the state will remain off the roads.

According to the Rajasthan Ambulance Employees Union, the new tender governing ambulance operations proposes 12-hour duty shifts, replacing the existing 8-hour schedule. Employees argue that longer shifts in high-pressure emergency conditions pose serious risks—not just to workers, but also to patients.

Union president Virendra Singh said repeated representations to officials of the National Health Mission (NHM) have failed to yield any concrete assurance.

“Our demand is simple—fair wages and humane working hours,” Singh said. “The new tender ignores both.”

Around 3,000 drivers and support staff are currently employed in the 108 and 104 ambulance services. Despite handling medical emergencies around the clock, their monthly salary stands at ₹12,730, union leaders say.

The union is demanding a 30% increase in basic salary, an annual 10% increment clause in the tender and restoration of 8-hour duty shifts instead of the proposed 12 hours

Employees argue that without these safeguards, the new tender effectively institutionalises overwork and low pay.

At present, Rajasthan’s emergency ambulance system consists of 1,094 ambulances under the 108 emergency service and around 600 ambulances under the 104 health service

The services are operated free of cost for the public and are currently managed by Modern Emergency Services Limited, the agency in charge of vehicle deployment and control rooms across the state.

A shutdown of these services could severely affect emergency response, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where government ambulances are often the only immediate medical option.

So far, health department officials have not issued a formal response to the strike announcement. With the deadline fast approaching, uncertainty looms over how emergency medical needs will be handled if services come to a standstill.

Public health experts warn that prolonged disruption could place additional strain on hospitals, private ambulance operators, and already stretched emergency rooms.

As of now, ambulance staff remain firm on their decision, stating that services will resume only after their demands are formally addressed.