Kerala to issue draft notification on minimum wage revision for private hospital staff

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A committee constituted by the government in October 2023 to revise wages had conducted evidence collection in all 14 districts and held several rounds of discussions.

However, agreement could not be reached due to the rigid stance adopted by management representatives. The Minister pointed out that in a majority of private hospitals, wages are still being paid in accordance with the 2013 notification, which he said is inadequate for workers to support their families under the present living conditions. 

Ensuring better wages for workers is the responsibility of the government, Sivankutty said, adding that discussions cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely.

He noted that trade unions had already accepted a proposal for a 60 per cent wage increase, prepared at the departmental level based on the 2013 notification.

The Minister also clarified that the proposal would not impose any additional financial burden on hospitals.

He further stated that while issuing the draft notification, the government would take into account the demands raised by organisations such as the Indian Association of Physiotherapists, Kerala Private Pharmacists Association, Indian Society of Radiographers and Technologists, and the Indian Speech Language and Hearing Association, reports PTI.

The meeting was attended by Additional Labour Commissioner K. M. Sunil, members of the Private Hospital Minimum Wages Committee, and other officials.

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