Basic pay for private hospital nurses raised to Rs 24,650 - Rs 33,740 in draft notification; insufficient, says UNA

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has issued a draft notification revising the minimum wages for employees in private hospitals and medical-related institutions. According to the draft, the basic salary for nurses, paramedical staff and administrative employees has been increased to Rs 24,650 - Rs 33,740. The revised wages will have a retrospective effect from October 1, 2022. Specific salary scales have been fixed for each post.

However, the United Nurses Association (UNA) has said the increase is insufficient. The organisation has decided to continue its protest until the basic salary is raised to Rs 40,000. Jasmine Shah, All India President of UNA, announced that nurses will hold an indefinite strike from the 9th of this month.

The recommendations were prepared by the Labour and Skills Department under the provisions of the 2019 Wage Code.

The government has allowed two months for submitting objections and suggestions regarding the draft notification. Complaints or suggestions can be submitted to the Special Secretary of the Labour and Skills Department. The final notification will be issued only after considering these responses. The draft also states that if employees are already receiving higher wages, those benefits can continue.

Allowances based on hospital beds

• Apart from the basic salary, the draft notification also proposes additional allowances based on the number of hospital beds.
• Hospitals have been classified into six categories, ranging from those with up to 100 beds to those with more than 800 beds.
• In large hospitals, nurses and paramedical staff may receive additional allowances of up to 50% of their basic salary. They will also be eligible for dearness allowance linked to the Consumer Price Index.

Basic salary

BSc / GNM Nurses: Rs 25,450 - Rs 30,800

ANM Grade I: Rs 24,650 - Rs 29,850

Nursing Superintendent / Nursing Manager: Rs 27,330 - Rs 33,080

General Manager / Administrative Officer: Rs 27,890 - Rs 33,740