Unpaid since 3 months, nurses strike work

Amravati: There was commotion at Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Memorial Medical College & Hospital on Tuesday morning when nurses struck work to protest non-payment of salaries for the last three months.
The nurses, some on contract, some trainees and some permanent, alleged that despite lack of facilities, they have been working at the hospital since March in adverse conditions.
They alleged that despite rendering their services at the quarantine section of the hospital without PPE kits, they weren’t provided the 14-day facility meant for the staff.
The nurses also alleged that the management made them render round-the-clock services without even bothering to offer them food.
The nurses further alleged that though they were assured of a salary of Rs11,000 per month in their appointment letters, they are actually paid only Rs. 8000.
Dean of the college, Dr Padmakar Somwanshi, told TOI that the college and the society which runs the hospital are facing a financial crunch due to the pandemic. “The April-May admissions of students have stopped. The government has not released scholarship funds. As a result, the salaries of the other staff members as well as the nurses, too, have got stuck. A solution will soon be found,” said Somwanshi.
The management of Shri Shivaji Education Society will discuss the issue at 10am on Wednesday morning after holding talks with the agitating nurses.