Kochi: The successful end of the 22-day struggle by nurses in private hospitals in the state demanding Rs 20,000 as minimum wages is expected to provide a fresh impetus for the emergence of independent grass-root level movements articulating the demands of marginalized sections. The demand of the agitating nurses received the support of a large section of the society despite the mainstream political parties and established outfits not showing much interest in the matter, said social activists.
“The nurses' strike is perhaps one issue that has received wide popular support after the historic Pompilai Orumai agitation by women plantation workers of Munnar”, said Jolly Chirayath, an actor-cum-activist based in Kochi. The harsh working conditions and very low salary levels of nurses were a slur on the so called egalitarian image of Kerala, she added. “It is a matter of relief that finally the government has agreed to the demands of the nurses”, she said.
The success of the agitation had proved that even without the patronage of mainstream political parties and trade unions, aggrieved sections of the society could articulate their demands, said Thushar Nirmal Saradhy, secretary of Janakeeya Manushayvakasa Prasthanam. The leadership of the unions that led the struggle also deserved appreciation for keeping the morale high despite the stubborn attitude shown by sections of the management and government officials, said an activist of United Nurses Association (UNA), one of the main organizations behind the agitation. The hospital managements tried everything to create a panic in the background of the fever outbreak hoping to create popular ire against the agitation. But, it had not succeeded, said the activist.
