Kerala hospitals' association calls nurses' strike illegal, urges Government intervention

Kochi: The ongoing nurses’ strike in Kerala has escalated tensions between the United Nurses Association (UNA) and private hospital authorities over wage demands and adherence to legal procedures. On Tuesday, the Kerala Private Hospitals Association (KPHA) declared the agitation legally invalid, citing violations of established labour protocols. 

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the Kerala High Court has directed that all strike actions by nursing staff in private hospitals be suspended until 19 March 2026. Justice Mohammed Nias C.P. urged both hospital managements and nurses to seek an “amicable resolution” through formal mediation, citing the “considerable hardship” hospital disruptions can cause to the public.

Also Read:Kerala HC directs Nurses Union to defer strike till March 19, calls for mediation

Anvar Mohammed Ali, the secretary of KPHA, said that the strike is unjust because it began as a one-day strike but bypassed the agreed-upon 14-day notice period and became indefinite without proper warning. By providing a notice without the mandated period, the United Nurses Association disregarded legal requirements, making their current agitation unauthorized. Legal strikes with proper notice are acceptable, but this strike was initiated without notice, so it is illegal. 

Regarding wage concerns, KPHA emphasised that minimum wages in Kerala are set by the government through a formal evaluation process.

“At present, this process is taking place, which began with an initial announcement of a draft notification that was published on March 6, 2026. The wage structure currently implemented in Kerala continues to be applicable until the comment period has concluded and the final notice has been issued,” Ali said, adding that it is unlawful for either party to change the wage structure during the ongoing process defined by law, and thus industrial action will not be tolerated, reports TNIE.

The association further raised concerns about the possible involvement of external groups from outside Kerala, suggesting they might be targeting smaller hospitals for potential takeover.

At the same time, UNA leader Jasmine Shah said the statements were made to mislead the public. “The strike is going on in just over 20 hospitals, mostly corporate hospitals and private medical colleges, which refused to increase wages. Even here, we are holding discussions. Further, no critical services are affected as minimum staff has been deployed,” said Mr Shah, reports Hindu.

Shah also corrected the wage figures, stating that the association had not demanded a basic salary of Rs 40,000 from private hospitals. “We have asked only the government for a basic salary and requested that hospital managements provide an increment proportional to the number of beds. The gross salary we are asking for is around Rs 32,700,” he added.

Under the current Labour Acts and Labour Codes, a 14-day notice period is mandatory for strikes in any industrial or service sector. Following the nursing strikes of 2012-13, it was explicitly required that healthcare-related strikes also comply with this minimum notice period.

Also Read:Kerala HC directs Govt, Police Chief to ensure hospitals' smooth functioning amid nurses' strike