Thrissur (Kerala), March 8 The association representing private hospital nurses in Kerala will begin an indefinite strike starting Monday, demanding an increase in basic salaries to Rs 40,000 per month.
The United Nurses Association (UNA) stated that it will initiate an indefinite strike on Monday in hospitals that are unwilling to meet the association's demands.
UNA held a meeting with members of the All India Health Care Providers Association (AIHCPA) here on Sunday.
UNA president Jasminsha said that seven private hospitals had agreed to the salary demand and signed an agreement following the meeting.
These hospitals are exempt from the strike, UNA said.
He added that AIHCPA represents the majority of hospitals in the state, and some have decided to continue discussions to reach an agreement.
Jasminsha said that under the agreement signed with the seven hospitals, the practice of appointing trainee nurses would be abolished, and the starting salary for nurses would be Rs 32,750.
He stated that the agreement would result in a gross salary increase of between Rs 8,000 and Rs 12,000 for nurses currently working in private hospitals in Kerala.
Jasminsha said that the majority of the hospitals that agreed to hold discussions were small- and medium-sized institutions, while major hospitals remained hesitant to meet the demands.
Recently, the state government announced that nurses' basic salary would be increased to Rs 28,000, and UNA rejected that move.
