Demands not met, nurses to hold strike on Aug 1-2

Sirsa, July 30

Haryana’s nursing staff has announced a two-hour strike on August 1 and 2, followed by a protest at the Chief Minister’s residence in Karnal on August 4. The decision comes as the authorities have failed to redress their demands related to working conditions and benefits.

Key demands

• Rs 7,200 nursing allowance
• Reclassification from Group C to D
• Filling of deputy director, assistant director posts

Rajkumar Bharadwaj, district head of the Haryana Nursing Welfare Association, said their demands included nursing allowance of Rs 7,200, reclassification from Group C to Group D and the filling of deputy director and assistant director posts. he said despite repeated appeals, no action was taken by the government or the health authorities, causing discontent among the nursing cadre.

The association had earlier protested by wearing black badges on July 23 and 24 and observed a two-hour strike on July 25. However, their demands have still not been addressed, prompting the association’s state executive committee to pass a resolution for the strike.

Bharadwaj said all services at civil hospitals, SDHs, CHCs and PHCs would remain suspended during the strike. “If the government continues to ignore our demands, the association will escalate the protest with a demonstration at the CM’s residence,” he said. The association said the government would be responsible for any inconvenience faced by patients.

Among others present were staff members Manju Kamboj, Rajni, Shashi, Jeeto, Rajvinder, Mukesh, Bimla and Usha.