Mysuru: Seeking better pay and job security, Nurses working on a contract basis at K.R. Hospital, Cheluvamba Hospital and PKTB Sanatorium, staged a protest in front of the DC’s office here on Thursday and Friday. It is learnt that the Nurses would continue their protest on Monday after seeking permission to stage protest in MMC&RI premises.

The protesting nurses said that in March 2017, nurses who had three years of experience were paid Rs.16,500, while those with more experience were given Rs.17,500 and added that in November, the salary was reduced to Rs.8,000, causing a lot of hardships.

They said that many nurses had made a lot of commitments such as taking loans and making other investments after being assured of a decent salary but sudden reduction in salary by more than 50% has really made life difficult and demanded that their salaries be revised to the old scale.

The protesting nurses also demanded that their salaries be credited to their account prior to the tenth of each month, and also urged the authorities to give preference to the Contract Nurses when they recruit nurses for permanent positions.

Meanwhile, Dr. Radhamani, in-Charge Director of Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMC&RI) told the Media that the nurses were working on contract basis at Rs.8,000 salary per month and added that they are relieved and reinstated once in 11 months.

She further said that their absence would inconvenience services in the hospitals and added that other personnel are working to ensure that things proceed smoothly at the hospitals.

Stating that she had spoken to the Principal Secretary of the Medical Department in this regard, Dr. Radhamani said that the Principal Secretary had informed that the salary of                                            those nurses working on a contract basis would be increased to Rs.10,000 and added that she has been informed that applications for permanent nurse posts will also be called at the earliest.