Nurses in Kerala’s Kannur call off their 62-day strike as Koyili Hospital signs settlement

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Nurses of six private hospitals in Kannur district were on strike over wage revision and service condition issues

Published - July 16, 2026 04:46 pm IST - KANNUR

A 62-day strike by nurses of six private hospitals in Kannur district in Kerala ended on Thursday (July 16, 2026). (Photo for representation)

A 62-day strike by nurses of six private hospitals in Kannur district in Kerala ended on Thursday (July 16, 2026) after the management of Koyili Hospital, the one remaining institution to enter into a pact, signed the settlement agreement before the District Labour Officer. With this one of the longest labour agitations by private hospital nurses in the district has ended.

The settlement was signed at the District Labour Office by Koyili Hospital Human Resources section representative Nidheesh, Indian Nurses Association (INA) State general secretary Mohammed Shihab, and union representatives Bijosh Joseph and Prasad in the presence of the District Labour Officer who acted as the Conciliation Officer.

Following the agreement, the striking nurses celebrated by distributing sweets.

The nurses were striking over wage revision and service condition issues. The union had sought wage rates proposed in the 2026 draft minimum wages notification for private hospitals, seniority-based wage weightage, and an end to contract appointments.

Five other private hospitals in Kannur had accepted the settlement earlier, leaving Koyili Hospital as the only institution to sign the pact.

Mr. Shihab said under the settlement, employees of hospitals with more than 100 beds will receive an interim wage increase based on their duration of service—₹2,500 for one to five years of service, ₹3,500 for five to 10 years, and ₹5,500 for 10 to 15 years. Employees of hospitals with fewer than 100 beds will receive an interim relief of ₹2,500, ₹3,500, and ₹5,000 respectively for the same service brackets.

He said the agreement also stipulates that employees who have not received the minimum wages notified under the 2017 government order will be paid the revised wages. Arrears due under the 2017 minimum wage order will be paid in five monthly instalments beginning August 30, 2026. Any excess payments already made to employees may be adjusted against future salaries, he said.

Mr. Shihab said the hospital management has also agreed not to initiate any retaliatory action against employees for participating in the strike. Experience certificates issued to nurses on request will treat the strike period as leave without wages, without any adverse remarks or special mention of their participation in the agitation.

The breakthrough came after pressure mounted on Koyili Hospital on Thursday morning. Youth and political organisations intensified protests outside the hospital, disrupting its functioning over the management’s refusal to sign the agreement already accepted by the other hospitals.

Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph visited the protest venue and expressed solidarity with the nurses. The Youth League organised a blockade of the hospital under the leadership of its district president K.K. Shinas, while the All India Youth Federation (AIYF) took out a march led by district secretary K.V. Sagar.

Published - July 16, 2026 04:46 pm IST

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