ZHL: Some vested interests propagate false rumours against us

Ludhiana / Chandigarh, February 1, 2013: Ziqitza Health Care (ZHL), the Company that is operating 108 ambulance services for the government in the state of Punjab, has said it has come to their notice that few disruptive elements are instigating employees not to resume duties and go for a strike from February, 2013, causing hardship to the people of Punjab.

A company release said some vested interests are propagating false rumours that ZHL - the operator of 108 Ambulance Service in Punjab is not complying with the Minimum Wages Act in Punjab. Supreme Court of India has stated in its various judgments that what has to be taken care by the employer is that the total of Basic Wages and Other allowances that it pays every month to its employees should either be equal to or more than the total of Minimum Wages fixed by the concerned State Government under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act and notified by it from time to time.

Accordingly, the total of Basic Wages and the other allowances being paid by an Employer or the consolidated wages being paid by the Employer have to be more than the total of the Basic Wages and allowances declared under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act by the State Government of Punjab.

Further, the release said 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 effective from September 1, 2012.

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.

ZHL confirms that the company is regularly paying the PF and ESI dues to eligible staff and annual increments for each employee completing 12 months of service.

ZHL further confirms that ZHL is in full compliance with both the Motor Transport Workers Act 1961 and the Minimum Wages Act as notified in the state of Punjab.

The release further said ZHL and its contractors have throughout its operation in Punjab, complied with the Laws prevailing and as applicable in the state of Punjab.

ZHL further confirms and assures all concerned including 108 Ambulance staff that ZHL shall take all required steps required under the relevant laws if any shortcoming is established as regards compliance by the appropriate authorities.

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, said the company release, adding, “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.”