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Nurses Strike Continues in Maharashtra, Demanding Equal Pay and Nursing Allowance

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A statewide nurses strike continued for the fourth day in 50 state-run health hubs in Maharashtra, with the nurses demanding equal pay and nursing allowance. The strike, led by the Maharashtra State Nurses Association (MSNA), has been ongoing since July 18, with the nurses seeking a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, and Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif to secure a written assurance on their demands.

The nurses are protesting against pay discrepancies under the 7th Pay Commission and the recent government resolution regarding the contractual recruitment of nurses. Despite multiple committees' recommendations, nurses in equivalent positions were excluded in the revised pay scales, said MSNA president Manisha Shinde.

The strike has led to the suspension of non-emergency admissions and planned surgeries at Sassoon General Hospital, among other services. The nurses are in direct contact with patients, risking their own lives, and feel consistently neglected, said Arifa Shaikh, MSNA president (Pune Chapter).

Key Takeaways:

  • The nurses strike in Maharashtra is in its fourth day, with nurses demanding equal pay and nursing allowance.
  • The strike is led by the Maharashtra State Nurses Association (MSNA) with 50,000 registered members.
  • The nurses are protesting against pay discrepancies under the 7th Pay Commission and the recent government resolution regarding the contractual recruitment of nurses.
  • Nurses in equivalent positions were excluded in the revised pay scales, despite multiple committees' recommendations.
  • The strike has led to the suspension of non-emergency admissions and planned surgeries at Sassoon General Hospital.
  • Nurses are in direct contact with patients, risking their own lives, and feel consistently neglected.
  • The nurses are seeking a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, and Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif to secure a written assurance on their demands.

Statistics:

  • 50: Number of state-run health hubs in Maharashtra where the nurses strike is ongoing.
  • 50,000: Number of registered members of the Maharashtra State Nurses Association (MSNA).
  • July 18: Date when the nurses strike began.
  • 3: Number of ministers the nurses are demanding a meeting with (Fadnavis, Abitkar, and Mushrif).
  • 2 minutes: Time given to the nurses when they tried to meet with the ministers unofficially.

Sources:

  • Maharashtra State Nurses Association (MSNA)
  • The Times of India (July 22, 2022)
  • Maharashtra Government's resolution regarding the contractual recruitment of nurses.

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