Private hospital nurses across Kerala launched an indefinite strike again on March 9th, 2026, demanding minimum basic salary for nurses be fixed at ₹40,000 per month. The protest is being led by the United Nurses Association (UNA), which represents a large number of nurses working in the private healthcare sector across the state.
The strike started on March 4th and involved demonstrations, marches, and protests outside private hospitals, including a large protest march to the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram on March 4th.
In response to the protests, the Kerala government issued a draft notification on March 8 proposing a revision of minimum wages for nurses working in private hospitals.
Under the proposal:
Staff nurses would receive salaries between ₹25,450 and ₹30,880, depending on qualifications and hospital categories.
Pay scales would vary based on experience, qualifications, and hospital size.
A two-month window was proposed for stakeholders to submit objections before the notification becomes final.
However, the United Nurses Association rejected the proposal, stating that the increase was significantly lower than their demand for a ₹40,000 minimum basic salary.
UNA leaders stated that the proposed revision represents only a marginal increase of a few thousand rupees compared with previous wage structures, which they say does not adequately address the financial challenges faced by private-sector nurses.
13 private hospitals have reportedly agreed to provide the ₹40,000 basic salary demanded by the nurses.
Hospitals that agreed to implement the salary revision have been exempted from the strike, according to the UNA. Negotiations between hospital management groups and the nurses’ association are still ongoing in several regions.
See also: Kerala Nurse Ensures Dignified Farewell for Man Five Months After Death
As of March 9, the main indefinite strike is primarily ongoing in five districts:
Ernakulam
Thrissur
Wayanad
Kannur
Kozhikode
The protest is expected to impact the functioning of nearly 100 private hospitals in these districts, although emergency services are reportedly continuing.
Nurses participating in the strike have largely withdrawn from routine duties, while maintaining essential emergency care in order to minimize disruption to critically ill patients.
During the ongoing strike, the management of Baby Memorial Hospital in Kozhikode reportedly harassed the newly recruited nurses who are on strike.
Newly recruited nurses were called to the hospital under the pretext of a training session.
Once present, they were allegedly locked up in a room for negotiation to join duty and forced to work during the strike period and prevented from leaving.
Nurses were reportedly threatened with termination if they refused to join duty.
Some nurses claimed that their family members were contacted and pressured to ensure they reported for work.
Nursing students were reportedly asked to perform duties in place of striking nurses.
The United Nurses Association has demanded action from authorities regarding these allegations, stating that such practices could violate labour protections and ethical norms governing healthcare training and employment.
The ongoing strike highlights longstanding concerns regarding the working conditions and compensation of nurses in India’s private healthcare sector.
Nurses play a critical role in patient care, including monitoring vital signs, administering medications, assisting with procedures, and ensuring patient safety during hospital stays. Inadequate staffing levels and wage disparities can potentially affect workforce retention, job satisfaction, and continuity of care in hospitals.
The Kerala nurses’ strike has therefore become a focal point in discussions about healthcare workforce policies, labour standards, and salary structures in private hospitals.
As of March 9, 2026:
The UNA continues its strike demanding ₹40,000 basic salary.
The Kerala government’s draft wage revision has been rejected by the association.
13 private hospitals have agreed to the salary demand, and strikes have been lifted at those institutions.
The primary strike activity continues in five districts: Ernakulam, Thrissur, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kozhikode.
Negotiations between hospital management associations, the state government, and the United Nurses Association are expected to continue in the coming days.
(Rh)
