Kerala nurses strike: Private hospital services hit as UNA demands Rs 40,000 minimum wage

Thiruvananthapuram: A segment of nurses employed by private hospitals across Kerala launched a strike on Wednesday, demanding a significant increase in their minimum monthly salary to 40,000 rupees and the immediate fulfilment of long-standing government promises.

The industrial action was spearheaded by the United Nurses Association (UNA), which also conducted a protest march to the state secretariat in the capital.

The striking nurses asserted that their wages have not been adjusted since 2018, leaving their current pay scales insufficient to meet the surging cost of living. While the state government issued a directive for a salary increase in 2023 following prior UNA protests, the association alleged that the order has not been put into effective practice.

One protesting nurse emphasised the need for the government to establish a standardised wage framework for the private sector, in line with Nursing Council 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, noting that establishing a 40,000-rupee base pay is a primary objective of the movement.

Protesters also warned of a growing "brain-drain" within the profession, as qualified staff increasingly seek employment abroad to secure better compensation and living standards.

"Nowadays, the nursing sector is heading towards businesses," a protester remarked. "Majority of qualified and experienced nurses are going abroad in search of good salary and living conditions."

The UNA stated that while the strike is expected to disrupt general hospital operations, emergency medical services will remain unaffected to ensure patient safety.

With inputs from PTI