Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Nurses Empowerment Association has announced a series of statewide protests beginning this month, demanding regularisation of services and urgent reforms to address job security, service benefits, and working conditions. The agitation marks a renewed push by contractual nurses who say their long-standing grievances have been ignored.
Major Demonstrations Planned Across Tamil Nadu
A large protest is scheduled in Madurai on December 4, followed by a statewide hunger strike in Chennai on December 18. These actions were finalised at the association’s executive committee meeting in Madurai, where nurses expressed frustration over what they termed continuous neglect of contractual staff in government healthcare institutions.
Association Slams Neglect of Contractual Nurses
According to reports, association members said the government has failed to acknowledge the critical contribution of contractual nurses who form the backbone of Tamil Nadu’s healthcare system. They argued that worsening working conditions and lack of job security have left thousands of nurses uncertain about their future.
Termination of Nurses Sparks Anger
In a statement, association general secretary N. Subin criticised the government for terminating nurses recruited through the Medical Services Recruitment Board in December 2022. These nurses, he said, were appointed on an ad hoc basis during the COVID-19 pandemic to meet emergency staffing needs, and their sudden removal has caused immense hardship to frontline workers who served during a crisis.
Unfulfilled Promise of Regularisation
Subin highlighted that the DMK, during the 2021 Assembly election campaign, had promised to regularise nearly 8,000 contractual nurses. More than two years later, he said, the promise remains unfulfilled, leaving those who risked their lives during the pandemic still fighting for stability and recognition.
Demands for Reinstatement and Job Security
The association said the upcoming protests aim to draw attention to the struggles faced by contractual nurses and urge the government to act on its commitments. Their key demands include immediate reinstatement of all nurses terminated in 2022, initiation of the regularisation process without delay, and structured negotiations with nurse representatives to resolve long-pending issues.
Escalation of Agitation Amid Government Silence
With no official response from the government so far, the association warned that the protests would intensify in the coming weeks. They emphasised that contractual nurses have been waiting for years for a transparent policy that ensures fair service conditions and long-term job security.
Thousands Expected to Join Statewide Protests
The association expects a massive turnout at the December 4 protest in Madurai and the hunger strike in Chennai on December 18. The planned demonstrations are set to become one of the largest collective actions by nurses in recent years, signalling growing discontent across Tamil Nadu’s public healthcare workforce.
