Ambulance employees in Punjab may go on strike; 15-day ultimatum issued to Punjab government

July 1, 2026

Healthcare services in Punjab are once again on the verge of grinding to a halt. A crucial and urgent meeting of the ‘108 Ambulance Employees Association Punjab’ was held at the Civil Hospital in Ludhiana, where the employees’ anger against the government boiled over.

Around 150 key members from every district across Punjab attended the meeting and unanimously declared their intent to launch an agitation against the government. The employees have made it clear that if their demands are not met, state-wide protests will follow.

15 Years and a Heap of False Promises

The employees’ anguish and outrage were palpable during the meeting. They stated that for the past 15 years, they have been serving the public—risking their lives around the clock during everything from the pandemic to various emergencies—yet successive governments have only betrayed them.

The employees noted that while they were promised regularization of their jobs, the current government, much like previous ones, has offered nothing but hollow promises. No concrete action has been taken on the ground to date. This is not the first time 108 ambulance employees have taken to the streets; the government has a long history of reneging on its promises.

No Lessons Learned from Past Strikes; Dispute Escalates

2023 Road Blockade: Last year, these employees completely halted ambulance services across Punjab for seven days. Under pressure, the government gave a written assurance to increase their monthly salary by ₹5,000. Shockingly, however, that money has not yet reached the employees’ accounts.

2024 Hunger Strike: When the promised ₹5,000 hike did not materialize, the employees resorted to a hunger strike earlier this year, yet the government—blind and deaf to their plight—remained completely unmoved.