Nurses step up protest after hospital owners skip conciliation talks

Conciliation talks called by the Regional Joint Labor Commissioner (RJLC) in Kozhikode on Saturday (July 4) to resolve the 50-day strike by nurses at six private hospitals in Kannur district failed after the hospital owners failed to turn up despite being directed to attend the meeting.

In the absence of employers, the nurses’ representatives returned without negotiations, prompting the Indian Nurses’ Association (INA) and the Joint Strike Support Committee to intensify their agitation.

Following this, the Joint Strike Support Committee has decided to launch an open-ended protest in front of the Kannur Collectorate from Monday (July 6) and continue the ongoing agitation in front of six hospitals. A section of striking nurses from all the six hospitals will participate in the Collectorate protest, while demonstrations outside the hospitals will continue as before, the INA said.

The Joint Support Committee for the Strike also urged the government to initiate immediate legal action against the affected hospital managements following a report submitted by the Ministry of Labor which allegedly found violations of labor laws during inspections at various hospitals.

The committee demanded action against hospitals found responsible for labor violations and demanded justice for striking nurses.

The INA Kannur district committee said the agitation will continue and intensify until the legitimate demands of the nurses are accepted and their legal labor rights are protected.

Published – 4 Jul 2026 23:07 IST