SL Raheja Hospital nurses complain of low pay

Nurses from SL Raheja Hospital in Mahim have written a letter to the Nursing Association, complaining that their bond and certificates are in the possession of the hospital and that their wages are abysmally low compared to industry standards.

The letter was addressed to president of All India Nurses Association, Dr Abraham Mathai, who said, “The issue of the nurses’ salary is a common complaint at most city hospitals. Nurses are an integral part of healthcare. It is very sad that most city hospitals ignore the need to give them a good package.”

Most nurses in the city are asked to sign a two-year bond, whereby the hospital retains their original graduation certificates. These are released only on payment of up to Rs50,000.

“Salaries are also low, with nurses earning anywhere between Rs7,000 and Rs14,000 per month. Most private hospitals have nurses from Kerala. Because of work-related commitments they are forced to live in a new city all alone and are not even paid according to industry standards,” said Mathai.

The nurses at SL Raheja have asked for help from the association to negotiate with the management, failing which they plan to go on a flash strike. Their counterparts in Fortis, Kalyan, had struck work on Sunday, asking for a pay hike.

In October, nurses from the Asian Heart Institute went on strike, while those from the SevenHills hospital revolted on November 9. Last Thursday, nurses from Guru Nanak Hospital went on strike on the issue of low wages and the bond system.