Fri Mar 13 03:50:05 UTC 2026: ### Kerala Nurses Launch Indefinite Strike Demanding Better Pay

The Story:
Nurses in private hospitals across Kerala, under the United Nurses Association (UNA), commenced an indefinite strike on Monday, March 9, 2026, demanding a basic monthly pay of ₹40,000, improved staffing levels, and better patient-caregiver ratios. The strike follows weeks of protests and a token strike on February 21, 2026, after repeated pleas for wage revision went unheeded since the last revision in April 2018. While nurses are committed to patient care, they express feeling forced to strike due to low wages and rising living costs.

Despite a draft notification from the State government proposing revised wages ranging from ₹25,450 to ₹30,800, the UNA deems it insufficient and continues the strike. Hospital owners consider the strike illegal, citing the lack of a mandatory 14-day notice and questioning the financial viability of meeting the nurses’ demands, potentially leading to increased healthcare costs for the public.

Key Points:

  • The United Nurses Association (UNA) launched an indefinite strike on March 9, 2026, demanding a basic monthly pay of ₹40,000.
  • The nurses are also demanding improved staffing levels and patient-caregiver ratios.
  • The last pay revision for nurses in private hospitals was in April 2018, with current salaries around ₹20,000.
  • The State government issued a draft notification proposing revised wages ranging from ₹25,450 to ₹30,800, which the UNA rejects.
  • As of March 11, 2026, 429 private hospitals have agreed to revise the minimum wage to ₹32,700.
  • Hospital owners deem the strike illegal due to the absence of a 14-day notice and argue that meeting the wage demands is financially unsustainable.

Key Takeaways:

  • The strike highlights the long-standing issue of low wages and poor working conditions for nurses in Kerala’s private hospitals.
  • The nurses’ action demonstrates their resolve to fight for fair compensation and better working conditions.
  • The government’s intervention, while a step forward, has not fully addressed the nurses’ demands.
  • The disagreement between the UNA and hospital owners underscores the challenges in balancing the nurses’ needs with the financial constraints of private healthcare institutions.
  • The strike has the potential to disrupt healthcare services and increase costs for patients in the state.

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