Nursing Staff Have Agreed To Withdraw Strike, Says Odisha’s Health Minister

Bhubaneswar: The nursing staff of government hospitals in Odisha have agreed to call off their two-day strike, said Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling on Saturday.

The government had called the striking nurses to a meeting to discuss their 10-point charter of demands after the latter did not withdraw their agitation even as the former imposed Emergency Services (Maintenance) Act (ESMA), 1988.

Mahaling told the media in the evening that he had convened a meeting with the nurses in Bhubaneswar. “They (nursing staff) put forth their demands and we reached an agreement. I requested them to call their strike and they have agreed to it,” he said.

Ashwini Kumar Das, secretary of the Odisha Nursing Employees’ Association (ONEA), also said the meeting was successful. “The minister agreed to fulfil all our demands. We will discuss the matter with other members of the union and take a final decision,” he added.

On Friday, the government had decided to constitute an inter-departmental committee to deliberate on various issues raised by ONEA.

The talks between ONEA and Health secretary Aswathy S had remained inconclusive on Wednesday as the association demanded formation of a high-power inter-departmental committee for taking a favourable decision towards fulfilling their demands.

Also Read: Odisha Govt To Form Committee To Study Demands, Urges Striking Nurses To Resume Duty