The Odisha government on Monday invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to prohibit strikes by health workers such as nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, technicians and other Class III and Class IV employees. The ESMA would remain in force for six months.

“In exercise of the power conferred by the Odisha Essential Services (Maintenance) Act 1988, the State government do hereby prohibit strikes in the aforesaid services.

“The order shall remain in force for a period of six months with effect from the date of issue,” the order said.

The state government in the notification further said: “In the interest of the public, it is necessary to prohibit strikes in the form of cessation of work by nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, technicians, other Class III and Class IV employees, including contractual employees in services/engagements connected with maintenance of medical services in government hospitals and dispensaries so that the health care delivery system in the state is not affected or disrupted.”

“The objective of invoking the ESMA is to keep the healthcare system in the state unaffected so that the people get benefits,” an official said.