Thiruvananthapuram – In a move that could potentially disrupt healthcare services in Kerala, private hospital nurses began a strike on Wednesday, demanding a minimum monthly salary of Rs 40,000, improved service conditions, and the implementation of various pending assurances without further delay.
The strike was organized by the United Nurses Association (UNA), which represents a majority of nurses working in around 490 private hospitals, including clinics across the state. As part of the protest, the association also staged a march to the state secretariat.
According to the protesting nurses, their salary was last revised in 2018, and since then, it has become inadequate due to the rising cost of living. The state government had issued orders for a salary hike in 2023 following a protest under the aegis of the UNA, but it has not been effectively implemented so far, they alleged.
One of the protesting nurses stated that they want the government to implement a clear wage system for private hospital nurses, as mentioned in the Nursing Council’s regulations. “The condition of nurses in the private sector is pathetic in the state. They are getting different salaries in accordance with the decision of respective managements in various hospitals in the state,” the nurse told reporters here.
One of their major demands is to fix their basic pay at Rs 40,000. The nurse also pointed out that the nursing sector is heading towards businesses and witnessing a brain-drain due to qualified and experienced nurses going abroad in search of good salary and living conditions.
The protesting nurses stated that the strike is likely to affect the functioning of 490 private hospitals, but would not impact emergency services. This development comes amidst ongoing disruptions in patient services at Kerala Medical College due to a hunger strike by doctors entering its 30th day.
