Kerala High Court Seeks State's Response On Plea For Salary Hike, Better Working Conditions For Private Hospital Nurses

The Kerala High Court has sought a reply from the State regarding the salary and working conditions of nurses working in private hospitals. This comes in the plea moved by the Indian Professional Nurses Association seeking implementation of Prof. Jagadish Prasad Committee Report. 

Justice P. V. Kuhnikrishnan admitted the PIL and sought reply from the Kerala Government.

The plea moved through Advocates Jose Abraham, N Ragesg, Adithyan Ezhapilly and R. Muraleedharan submits that subsequent to the Supreme Court decision, the Central Government had constituted an Expert Committee to make recommendations for the improvement of the working conditions and salaries of nurses working in private hospitals and nursing homes. 

The Committee, after much deliberation and consideration, recommended steps which are required to be taken to uplift the standard and working conditions of the nurses and recommended that the Union Territories and the State Government frame legislations and guidelines to implement the same. Aggrieved by the delay in the implementation of the recommendations, which were brought forth in the year 2016, the PIL was preferred. 

The petitioner also submitted that nurses have a right to equal pay for equal work as most of the nurses working in private hospitals throughout the State are not even paid minimum wage, whereas nurses working in Government hospitals are not only paid at a higher rate but are also subject to the three-shift system.

The Petitioner contended that despite the Health Secretaries (1st Respondent) being informed of the recommendation and being requested to take the necessary action the implement the recommendation, no action was taken by the 1st respondent. 

The matter has been posted for further hearing on 22nd September. 

Case Title: Indian Professional Nurses Association v. State of Kerala & Ors.