Maharashtra State Nurses Association Declares Statewide Indefinite Strike If Demands Are Not Met By July 18

Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Nurses Association declares a statewide protest over ongoing salary issues under the 7th Pay Commission and the recent government decision for hiring nurses on a contractual basis.

Healthcare services in all government hospitals throughout Maharashtra may face significant disruption as more than 30,000 nurses are set to begin an indefinite strike on July 18 if their demands are not met following the protest starting July 16 at Azad Maidan. The Maharashtra State Nurses Association is initiating the strike to protest the government's ongoing disregard for contract nurses.

The union claims that the source of the unrest stems from the state's choice to hire nurses on a contractual basis rather than filling permanent positions. Sumitra Tote, General Secretary of the Maharashtra State Nurses Association, stated that 50% of nursing roles in present government hospitals remain unfilled, leading to increased pressure on the existing workforce. The union has also firmly resisted the government's attempt to address these vacancies with temporary contracts rather than through permanent hiring.

A nurse participating in the protest mentioned that there is inequality in extra payments for nurses at central government hospitals compared to those in Maharashtra, pointing out that, "if Surf Excel is equally priced for both the center and the state, so why the difference?"

Unending Strike Starting July 18

The union has revealed a staged protest strategy. Nurses plan to conduct sit-in protests at Azad Maidan on July 15 and 26. A strike lasting one day will take place on July 17. Should the government not respond to their requests by that date, more than 30,000 nurses will initiate an indefinite strike starting July 18.

Healthcare services throughout Maharashtra might be halted if the strike proceeds, particularly affecting critical care and inpatient units in government hospitals that rely significantly on nursing personnel. The union has called on the state to halt the contract hiring process and accelerate the recruitment of permanent nurses to protect public healthcare services.