Nurses call it injustice
SRINAGAR, July 30: As nurses in Kashmir are fighting on the forefront amid COVID-19, SKIMS Medical College Bemina has invited applications for engagement of nurses on contractual basis but just a monthly remuneration of Rs 14,500.
On Wednesday, the SKIMS Medical College Bemina issued a notification for engagement of 54 nurses on contractual basis with a monthly remuneration of just Rs 14,500.
SKIMS Medical College has engaged lab technicians with monthly remuneration of Rs 30,000.
Similarly, senior residents recently engaged at SKIMS Soura are paid a monthly stipend of Rs 67,700 in addition to other allowances as per government rules.
One of the nursing scholars said SKIMS Bemina College has been biased towards nurses. “They can’t have a biased approach towards one particular profession. We are PG degree holders in nursing and working on remuneration of mere Rs 14,500 is an insult to our profession and dignity,” the nursing scholar told news agency (KINS).
Another nursing scholar said the notification was violation of Supreme Court guidelines which says equal pay for equal work.
“Why this discrimination only with us? We are always on the forefront. Despite that there is a biased approach towards the nursing profession. In Mumbai hospitals, second year nursing students are paid Rs 20,000 per month in addition to their stipend. Rs 30,000 are paid for third year students. Staff nurses engaged for COVID are paid Rs 50,000. But here we are getting peanuts,” the scholar said.
Another nurse said she loves her job but wished she would get acknowledged for her dedication.
“It is a nurse who is always with patients unlike others. Despite that, our work does not get acknowledgement,” she said.
Nurses working especially in government hospitals are at risk catching infections while handling patients.
The aspiring candidates have appealed to the administration to review the notification to make remuneration synonymous with current nursing professionals of the SKIMS.
Principal SKIMS Medical College Bemina Dr Riyaz Ahmad Untoo said they have invited applications for engagement of nurses on contractual basis.
“We asked the government to provide us nursing staff, we were told to engage them on contractual basis under NHM. We have nothing to do with it. Rs 14,500 remuneration is fixed as per NHM guidelines, which we followed,” Dr Riyaz told KINS
