Maharashtra Nurses' Strike Disrupts Healthcare Services Amid Demands for Permanent Recruitment and Pay Anomalies

Routine surgeries are being postponed across Maharashtra as an indefinite strike by over 30,000 nurses entered its second week on July 25. The strike, which began on July 18 with strong backing from the State Government Group-D (Class IV) Employees Federation, is demanding the immediate cancellation of the contractual hiring process, 100% permanent recruitment, and prompt filling of vacant posts through promotions. The nurses are also seeking to resolve long-pending pay anomalies under the Seventh Pay Commission, which has been a contentious issue since the Bakshi Committee, formed in 2017, failed to address pay disparities for staff nurses, sister-in-charges, and nursing tutors.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 30,000 nurses are on an indefinite strike in Maharashtra, demanding the cancellation of the contractual hiring process, 100% permanent recruitment, and prompt filling of vacant posts through promotions.
• The strike is backed by the State Government Group-D (Class IV) Employees Federation, which has threatened to paralyse healthcare services across the state if the government fails to act.
• The strike has already begun to impact patient care at government hospitals and medical centres, raising fears of a wider health crisis.
• Nurses are also seeking to resolve long-pending pay anomalies under the Seventh Pay Commission, which has been a contentious issue since the Bakshi Committee failed to address pay disparities for staff nurses, sister-in-charges, and nursing tutors.
• The nurses' demands include an end to contractual hiring, 100% permanent recruitment, immediate promotions to fill vacant posts, and clearance of allowances pending for over 40 years.
• The strike has been supported by the Maharashtra State Nurses Association, with General Secretary Sumitra Tote stating that the nurses will not call off the strike until all their demands are met.
• Group-D workers in the Health and Medical Education Departments have threatened to join the strike if the government fails to act on the nurses' demands.

Statistics:

• 30,000+ nurses are on strike in Maharashtra.
• The strike began on July 18 and has now entered its second week.
• Patient care has been impacted at government hospitals and medical centres.
• The strike has raised fears of a wider health crisis.
• 40+ years: the duration for which allowances are pending for nurses.
• 100%: the permanent recruitment demanded by nurses.

Sources:

• (India National Press (Bombay) Pvt. Ltd., distributed by Contify.com)
• June 6, 2025: Government circular announcing fresh contractual recruitment.