THIRUVANANTHAPURAM — The Kerala Labour Department has issued a draft notification proposing a revision to the minimum wage structure for nursing staff and ancillary healthcare personnel in private hospitals across the state. Under the new proposal, the base monthly salary for nurses is slated to increase from ₹25,450 to ₹30,880.
The state government noted that the final wage structure will be tiered based on the bed capacity of the respective medical institutions. The Labour Department has opened a two-month window for the public and stakeholders to submit grievances or suggestions regarding the proposed hike, after which a final notification will be issued.
Union Dissatisfaction and Planned Industrial Action
Despite the government’s intervention, the United Nurses' Association (UNA) has formally rejected the proposal, terming the wage adjustment insufficient. The association claims the revision fails to provide a guaranteed ₹3,000 increment for all staff and falls well short of their demand for a monthly base salary of ₹40,000.
As a result, the UNA has confirmed that its members will proceed with a planned indefinite strike starting March 9, 2026. The association has stated that it will not retract the strike call unless the government meets their core demand of a ₹40,000 base pay.
Strategic Exemptions and Institutional Agreements
While the strike is expected to impact healthcare services statewide, the UNA has announced an exemption for certain private institutions. A total of 13 hospitals have proactively entered into direct agreements with the union, committing to a base monthly wage of ₹40,000 for their nursing staff. Consequently, these facilities will remain operational and excluded from the upcoming industrial action.
The standoff between the government and the nursing fraternity underscores the ongoing tension regarding professional compensation in the private healthcare sector, with the upcoming weeks likely to see further negotiations as both parties weigh the implications of the proposed draft.
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