Kerala: Nurses prepare to launch total strike from July 17

Thiruvananthapuram: The United Nurses Association (UNA) has decided to launch a  fullscale strike in private hospitals from July 17 demanding a basic pay of Rs 20,000 as recommended by the Supreme Court. However, the hospitals which have agreed to pay the above basic pay will be exempted from the strike. The state committee members of the UNA would start a fast until  death in front of the Secretariat from that day.  The nurses organised a strike on Tuesday at private hospitals across the state. They also laid a siege to the Secretariat against the government’s failure to approve the Supreme Court directive on the salary structure.

The protest entered  the 12th day on Tuesday. As per the payscale fixed in 2013, the minimum basic pay would be Rs 9,500. However, nurses alleged that many hospitals were not even paying the minimum wages. More details on the strike would be finalised on the state council to be held on July 13. Health minister K.K. Shylaja had announced the minimum wages as Rs 20,086. However, nurses refused to accept it saying there was  no salary hike and no discussion on the salary of trainee nurses.