Kerala nurses cancel protest as government agrees to Rs20,000 pay

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has yielded to private hospital nurses demand for a minimum monthly package of Rs 20,000 (Dh1,105), thus averting a proposed mass protest by nurses across the state.

The decision on Monday came in the eleventh hour, as hundreds of nurses were readying for a 168-km ‘Long March’ from Cherthala to Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, under the flag of the United Nurses’ Association (INA).

The INA was also expected to join the protest, but the government finally gave in to their demand.

The nurses had received wide support on social media, where a large number of commentators criticised private hospital managements for maximising profits even as their nurses were paid a pittance.

The state government appeared keen to avoid a stand-off with the nurses, particularly because another long march from the farmers is also likely.

The state government had agreed to the demands last year itself, but the nurses decided to go on strike because the government order confirming their pay rise had not been issued yet, and the hospital managements would not pay the increased amount as was agreed.

According to Monday’s government order, nurses in private hospitals will receive a basic pay of Rs 20,000, effective from October 2017. This is applicable for nurses working in hospitals that have up to 100 beds.

For larger hospitals, the basic pay will be higher, with Rs 22,000 for nurses in hospitals with beds from 101 to 300.