Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government invoked the Orissa Essential Services (Maintenance) Act (ESMA) prohibiting strikes by fire service personnel to ensure that emergency services are not disrupted.
“In exercise of the power conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Odisha Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1988 (Odisha Act 9 of 1992) read with section 2(b) of the said Act, the State Government do hereby prohibit strikes, as defined vide section 2 (V) of the ESMA Amendment Act, 2020 in the aforementioned services,” a notification issued by the Home Department stated.
The order imposing ESMA and prohibiting strikes will remain in force for six months from February 21, the notification said.
The government said that the ESMA was invoked in the public interest as the Fire Services is vitally necessary for the life of the community. Any such disruption can cause untold hardships to people and can lead to loss to life and property, the notification added.
The association of fire service personnel threatened a cease-work agitation from February 21 pressing for their demands.
Their demands include equal pay and allowance at par with Odisha police and government registration of their association.
They have been protesting by wearing black badges. As their demands remained unheeded, they decided to launch a cease-work strike for an indefinite period.
“We have placed our demands before the government since 2018. But it fell on the deaf ears of the government,” said a striking fireman.
Firemen, havildars and drivers of the fire services department have been protesting for their demands.
