Nurses’ protest peaks over minimum wage violations in private hospitals
The protest also raises broader concerns about the prevailing healthcare model, where profit is prioritized over patient care.
KATHMANDU: Nurses’ movement demanding minimum wages in private healthcare institutions has reached its peak amid growing allegations of labor exploitation.
Led by the Morang chapter of the Nepal Nursing Association, nurses at Koshi Hospital staged a demonstration within the hospital premises, carrying placards and highlighting that the absence of minimum wage enforcement reflects policy gaps and lack of regulation in the health sector.
According to participating nurses, the failure to provide fair compensation is accelerating the migration of skilled nurses abroad, creating long-term challenges for the national healthcare system.
The protest also raises broader concerns about the prevailing healthcare model, where profit is prioritized over patient care.
Lajita Yonjan, president of the Morang chapter of the Nepal Nursing Association, said, “Private hospitals cut costs by underpaying nurses to increase profits. Even when the state sets wages, implementation is weak.”
As part of the protest, nurses will conduct a daily two-hour symbolic strike by wearing black armbands. The association warned that the movement would intensify if their demands remain unaddressed.
