JOIN USTaking a firm stand on the strike by nurses in major private hospitals across Kerala, Labour Minister Shibu Baby John said the state government was against using the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against striking nurses.
Speaking to the media after holding discussions with managements of Lakeshore Hospital, Kochi and MOSE Medical College Hospital, Kolenchery, John said when it is a fact that exploitation of nurses exists in private hospitals in the state, the government would not impose ESMA.
The United Nurses Association, which is leading the one-month strike in hospitals in Kochi, said meagre salaries are being paid to experienced graduate nurses in private hospitals in Kerala.
According to the association, the strike will end only after a reasonable solution to their demands is offered.
They also warned that the strike will spread to more private hospitals.
The state government would hold discussions with private hospital managements only after they agree to implement minimum wages to nurses announced by the state government, said John.
The minister said the government would take steps to make managements of hospitals pay salary through banks.
The minister also said the state government would file cases against the managements of those private hospitals which submitted false records on salary of nurses to the state government.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly V S Achuthanandan on Saturday called on the striking nurses at Lakeshore Hospital, Kochi, and declared his support to them.
He called upon the government to intervene in the issue immediately to find a solution.