Maharashtra's nurses on strike to demand old pension scheme

The nurses are on strike to demand the implementation of the old pension scheme (OPS). They are also demanding an extension in the retirement age to 60 years. Due to the strike, services in various departments of the government medical colleges and hospitals in Nagpur got hampered. Read here for more details.

Thousands of nurses and other staff from both government medical colleges and hospitals in Nagpur have gone on indefinite strike from March 14, 2023. The main demand is the implementation of the old pension scheme (OPS). Other than the old pension scheme, the nurses are demanding an extension in the retirement age to 60 years.

The nurses have withdrawn their services from OPDs and wards. They are working in the emergency and ICU wards only. Clerical work also hit as clerks have also joined this statewide strike. The services in other departments are also hampered. Consequently, surgeries at IGGMCH, GMCH, and other government hospitals were postponed as there are no staff and nurses available for the same.

Only those who need emergency treatment are admitted to these hospitals. The doctors, who are on a contractual basis, are only working in the hospitals.

The employees alleged that the Maharashtra government paid no heed to their earlier strikes and despite repeated reminders, they did not even bother to have a discussion with the employees regarding their demands. The government is still to come up with any solution, said the protestors, as reported by India blooms.

More details on nurses' strike

Class three and four employees of government hospitals began their strike at 7:30 am on Tuesday. Employees of government hospitals, nurses, X-ray department technicians, laboratory technicians, clerical staff, sweepers and room attendants, all have joined the state-wide strike.

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