The Nurses Federation of India a joint body which operated under the
Central Government Employees Federation had reportedly called for a
nationwide strike on May 23 on an issue related to pay hike and
implementation of 7th Pay Commission.
The agitation by nurses titled as “Mass Dharna” against 7th Pay
Commission will be carried out by nurses almost a month from now.
A few web portals also shared a banner details of the strike, along
with a picture of KKN Kutty, President of Central Government Employees
Federation. However there is no such official confirmation by the Nurses
Federation yet.
On March 17, around 5,000 nurses working at the All India Institute of
Medical Science (AIIMS) went on a mass casual leave, alleging the
hospital administration of discrimination in the roll out of the 7th Pay
Commission, IANS reported.
A senior nurse then quoted by news agency IANS said, that they have
informed the administration that if their entire pay grade is not
enhanced from Rs 4,600 to Rs 5,400 then they will soon call an
indefinite strike.
The nurses also demand to increase their nursing allowance to Rs 7,800
and this proposal has already been sent to the Health Ministry for
consideration.
Meanwhile, the Central Government Employees Federation who wrote a
letter to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had asked three
questions :
1. Whether
it is a fact that All India Nursing Federation has been demanding for
revision of their pay scales and a hike in allowances, if so, the
details thereof.
2. Whether Government has taken any decision on their demands.
3. The steps being taken by Government to appease the unions of nurses and persuade them to call off their strike.
Reply by Faggan Singh Kulaste, Minister of State, Health and Family Welfare :
1. Yes. Like
other Federations/Union, All India Nursing Federation (AIGNF) is
demanding better pay and allowances to the Nursing Personnel. Their
demands on various allowances such as Nursing allowance, Uniform &
Washing allowance, Special Area Allowance etc. payable to Nurses and
inclusion in the risk matrix as allowed by 7th Pay Commission to various
categories of Government servants has been referred to the Committee on
Allowances comprising Finance Secretary & Secretary( Expenditure)
as Chairman and Secretaries of Home Affairs, Defence, Health &
Family Welfare, Personnel & Training, Posts and Chairman, Railway
Board as Members.
2. Consultations/persuasion always made with the representatives of the Union/Federation to avoid the strike.
Source: India.com
