Long-pending demands push NIMS nurses to launch black badge protest

The Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) Nursing Union began a black badge protest on Monday, December 8, saying that repeated appeals to the administration had failed to resolve long-standing issues faced by nursing officers.

The union said the protest was aimed at bringing renewed attention to concerns over increasing workload, restoration of medical services to the parents of contract nursing officers, filling of vacant posts, encashment of earned leave, cadre review, and appropriate status and pay for lecturers at NIMS Nursing College and their spouses, in line with AIIMS scales.

Union president S. Ashalatha said the black badge protest would continue peacefully and within legal limits until the issues were addressed. She added that several representations had been submitted to the hospital management, along with follow-ups, but no constructive response had been received.

The unresolved matters include service benefits, promotions, staffing requirements and basic welfare facilities for the nursing staff. It reiterated its demand for the implementation of earned leave encashment as approved by the NIMS Executive Board, along with the enhanced gratuity amount of ₹16,00,000 notified in G.O. Ms.No.56 of June 2021. It also sought the granting of three months of maternity leave to female employees as mandated under G.O. Ms.No.209 issued in November 2016.

Staffing issues formed a significant portion of the charter of demands, with the union calling for permanent appointments against existing vacancies and immediate regularisation of contract nursing officers to address shortages. The union also asked for dedicated office rooms for the Chief Nursing Officer and Deputy Nursing Superintendent. “Doctors are not the only ones requiring office space and nursing administrators too need rooms to complete essential paperwork,” Ms.Ashalatha added.