Nurses protest over job regularisation, get fillip as oppn leaders join in

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Nurses contracted under the National Health Mission (NHM) have continued their protest at Freedom Park on Wednesday, demanding job regularization, equal pay for equal work, and other benefits. Opposition leaders like MLC Chalavadi Narayanswamy and Bangalore Rural MP Dr C N Manjunath had joined along with the protesters and assured that their grievances will be taken to the respective governments.

Organized by the Karnataka State Contract Health Workers Welfare Association, the indefinite day-andnight protest began on Monday, February 24. Many more are reportedly expected to join, potentially affecting healthcare services across the state. Nurses claim they have been working on low wages without benefits for the past decade, performing duties equivalent to permanent staff. During the COVID-19 crisis, many women have allegedly left their families to serve the public, risking their lives. Despite repeated appeals to the government, no action has been taken, prompting the current protest. Narayanswamy had ensured that he would take it up in the upcoming session in the legislative council.

He also ensured that this will taken up with both Chief Minister Siddaramiah and Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao. Key demands include job regularization, equal pay as per Supreme Court orders, salaries matching those in the Medical Education Department until regularization, preference based on seniority in future recruitments, transfer policies between districts, and recognition of PHCO training experience. Association President Srikanth Swamy stated that NHM workers in Manipur and Bihar have already been regularized, urging Karnataka’s government to follow suit.