KVM Hospital strike called off

ALAPPUZHA: The Private Hospital Workers and Lab Technicians Union (AITUC),  which was conducting the nurses' strike in front of KVM Hospital for over a year, has called off the protest as the government has referred the issues raised by the nurses to the labour court earlier this month.

V. Mohandas, district general secretary of the union, said that the nurses who were protesting in front of the hospital had decided to return work. The hospital authorities should ensure favourable working atmosphere for workers who return to work. The union hopes that the issues raised by the nurses could be resolved either through dialogue or provisions of  labour law', he said in a statement.

Welcoming the decision, Dr. V.V. Haridas, director of the hospital, said that the decision to call off the protest will help in smooth functioning of the hospital.       
The government referred the demands of nurses to the labour court on September 5. 

The strike started on September 20 last year. During the period of strike, many employees who took part in the agitation had gone abroad in search of job. Many joined other hospitals as well.  The strike was called by the union with the support of United Nurses Association (UNA) after the hospital management refused to renew contract of two temporary nurses.