108 workers want govt to take over ERS

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 11, 2019

SHILLONG: Workers of the GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute (GVK EMRI) has asserted that it is high time for the state government to take over the emergency response services in the interest of the state and its people. 

This was expressed by the field staff under the banner of the Meghalaya EMRI Workers Union (MEWU) after a meeting with the deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong requesting his intervention into the various problems faced by the workers here on Thursday. 

Talking to media persons after the meeting, president of the Union Roypar Kharraswai said the delegation has urged the deputy chief minister to look into the grievances of the workers following the failure of the management body of the GVK EMRI to fulfill the charter of demands. 

“However, we are not happy with the outcome of the meeting since the deputy chief minister has instead asked us to resolve the matter with the management body,” he said. 

Kharraswai said following the protest held last year, the state government had assured to address 3 of 36 points of demands which include payment of salary as per minimum wages, purchase of new ambulances and providing quarter facilities to the staff. 

“The remaining demands which also related to the shortage of manpower were for the management body to address. However, till date nothing has been done since the management body had chosen to be adamant in its attitude,” he said. 

According to the president, the GVK EMRI is just an agency engaged to manage the emergency response services (ERS) in the state but 100 per cent funding is being done by government. 

Asked, Kharraswai admitted that it is high time for the state government to have its own emergency cell under the health department. 

“The state government should take this responsibility to improve the emergency services in the interest of the people,” he said. 

Publicity secretary of the union Joseph H Pyngrope further alleged that the management has increased the working hours by reducing the manpower besides workers were also deprived of taking leave. 

“One ambulance should have at least 3 paramedics and 3 pilots so that there will be three shifts in a day but this is not the case at present and this has affected the workers,” he said. 

There are only 205 field staffs which include emergency medical technicians and pilots.