The ongoing nurses’ strike in Kerala has intensified tensions between the United Nurses Association (UNA) and the Kerala Private Hospitals Association (KPHA), with hospital authorities declaring the agitation “legally invalid” over alleged violations of labour laws.
High Court Orders Suspension, Calls for Mediation
Earlier, the Kerala High Court had directed that all strike actions by nursing staff in private hospitals be suspended until March 19, 2026. Justice Mohammed Nias C.P. urged both sides to resolve the dispute through formal mediation, highlighting the “considerable hardship” such disruptions could cause to the public healthcare system.
KPHA: Strike Violates Legal Protocols
KPHA Secretary Anvar Mohammed Ali stated that the strike is unjustified and unlawful:
- The agitation began as a one-day protest but turned indefinite without proper notice
- A mandatory 14-day notice period, required under labour laws, was not followed
- Hence, the strike is considered unauthorized
He further noted that minimum wages in Kerala are determined through a formal government process. A draft notification issued on March 6, 2026, is currently under review, and the existing wage structure remains valid until the final notification is released.
Ali emphasized that altering wages or resorting to industrial action during this period is legally impermissible.
Wage Dispute and External Influence Concerns
KPHA also raised concerns about possible involvement of external groups from outside Kerala, suggesting they may be targeting smaller hospitals for potential takeovers.
On the wage issue, the association reiterated that any revision must follow due legal procedure and cannot be enforced through strikes.
UNA Responds: “Misleading Claims by Hospital Authorities”
UNA leader Jasmine Shah rejected KPHA’s claims, calling them misleading:
- The strike is limited to just over 20 hospitals
- Most affected institutions are corporate hospitals and private medical colleges
- Essential services remain operational with minimum staff deployment
Clarifying wage demands, Shah said:
- UNA has not demanded a ₹40,000 basic salary from hospitals
- The demand to the government is for a fair basic pay structure
- Hospitals are asked to provide increments based on bed strength
- The proposed gross salary stands at approximately ₹32,700
Legal Framework: 14-Day Notice Rule Central to Dispute
Under existing Labour Acts and Codes in India:
- A 14-day notice is mandatory before initiating any strike
- This rule applies to all sectors, including healthcare
- Following the 2012–13 nursing strikes, compliance in healthcare became stricter
This legal requirement has become the focal point of the current dispute, with KPHA citing non-compliance and UNA defending its actions as justified.
Conclusion
The Kerala nurses’ strike has evolved beyond a wage dispute into a broader conflict involving legal compliance, workers’ rights, and patient welfare. While hospital authorities stress adherence to labour laws, nurses maintain that their demands are fair and necessary, keeping the standoff unresolved for now.
