Back to work: Nurses call off strike after ‘successful negotiations’
Official says no action to be taken against them if nurses return to duty
Official says no action to be taken against them if nurses return to duty. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR:
Agitating nurses called off their strike and announced resumption of duties at their respective health facilities after successful negotiations with the provincial health department.
Officials said members of the nurses association met officials and discussed the issues being faced by nurses in detail.
“Almost all of their demands have been accepted, except one,” a senior health official said. He said one could not be accepted in Monday’s meeting. However, there were possibilities of it being considered or accepted later on. He requested anonymity as he was not entitled to speak to the media.
Basic demand
The official, who was also part of the meeting with the nurses’ association, said the basic demand was a service structure. While that had been accepted earlier, the nurses wanted to see amendments for speedy improvement.
He said the association members were told a committee would be formed to thoroughly work on the matter. The official went on to say committee members would include members of the nurses’ association and representatives of the health department.
Suspended: Paramedics observe strike in Hazara
“There are certain issues among the nurses themselves, I mean academic and clinical cadres, but we assured both will be given their due consideration,” the official said. He added a compensatory allowance was being given to nurses, but had been withdrawn in the past. This was a major bone of contention for the nurses.
“This is something genuine and needs to be reinstated as it is their right. Even department officials will fight for nurses’ rights, but only if they are genuine,” the official said. He added the department also agreed to a stipend for students which will be increased after a summary was passed and approved in the coming months.
For the time being
“No, a health professional allowance being given to the nurses will not be increased for now as we have huge expenses. However, this does not mean it will never be increased,” the official said. He added nurses also demanded the withdrawal of cases against them, which was accepted.
“Nurses complained of action taken against them at their respective facilities. However, we made it clear they must restart patient care and no action will be taken against them at their respective facilities.” The official said they do not want to irk the nurses, but at the same time will never compromise on patient care.
Nurses in the provincial capital started protesting in favour of their demands and called others as well from various parts of the province. However, the provincial health department decided not to show any flexibility earlier, saying it had already accepted the demands of nurses.
Officials were of the view the department was generous enough to raise pay scale and offer attractive health professional allowance. They stated some elements were busy instigating student nurses, adding these youngsters should concentrate on their studies rather than demonstrations.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2016.
Agitating nurses called off their strike and announced resumption of duties at their respective health facilities after successful negotiations with the provincial health department.
Officials said members of the nurses association met officials and discussed the issues being faced by nurses in detail.
“Almost all of their demands have been accepted, except one,” a senior health official said. He said one could not be accepted in Monday’s meeting. However, there were possibilities of it being considered or accepted later on. He requested anonymity as he was not entitled to speak to the media.
Basic demand
The official, who was also part of the meeting with the nurses’ association, said the basic demand was a service structure. While that had been accepted earlier, the nurses wanted to see amendments for speedy improvement.
He said the association members were told a committee would be formed to thoroughly work on the matter. The official went on to say committee members would include members of the nurses’ association and representatives of the health department.
Suspended: Paramedics observe strike in Hazara
“There are certain issues among the nurses themselves, I mean academic and clinical cadres, but we assured both will be given their due consideration,” the official said. He added a compensatory allowance was being given to nurses, but had been withdrawn in the past. This was a major bone of contention for the nurses.
“This is something genuine and needs to be reinstated as it is their right. Even department officials will fight for nurses’ rights, but only if they are genuine,” the official said. He added the department also agreed to a stipend for students which will be increased after a summary was passed and approved in the coming months.
For the time being
“No, a health professional allowance being given to the nurses will not be increased for now as we have huge expenses. However, this does not mean it will never be increased,” the official said. He added nurses also demanded the withdrawal of cases against them, which was accepted.
“Nurses complained of action taken against them at their respective facilities. However, we made it clear they must restart patient care and no action will be taken against them at their respective facilities.” The official said they do not want to irk the nurses, but at the same time will never compromise on patient care.
Nurses in the provincial capital started protesting in favour of their demands and called others as well from various parts of the province. However, the provincial health department decided not to show any flexibility earlier, saying it had already accepted the demands of nurses.
Officials were of the view the department was generous enough to raise pay scale and offer attractive health professional allowance. They stated some elements were busy instigating student nurses, adding these youngsters should concentrate on their studies rather than demonstrations.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2016.