Health services disrupt as nurses go on indefinite strike in Amritsar; equal pay policy demanded

September 27, 2025

Fed up with the Punjab government’s indifferent attitude and reneging on promises, the United Nurses Association of Punjab and all district units of the nursing cadre have jointly announced an indefinite strike. Due to this strike, patients in government hospitals across the state are facing problems.

The nurses allege that the government reneges on promises made every time it is given a time for talks and has failed to fulfill its promises. The nurses stated that they were promised a higher pay scale when they were recruited, but after 2020, the government reduced their pay scale from 4600 to 2800. This has created a huge disparity between the salaries of old and new staff, which is completely unjust.

Demand for Implementation of Equal Pay Policy

The nurses demand that an equal pay policy be implemented so that all staff receive the same salary. They say this government’s attitude is affecting not only the nursing staff but the entire health system in the state.

Warning to Intensify Struggle

Raman Jeet Singh, Nursing Union President of Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Amritsar, stated that they have been struggling for their rights for the past five years. Their protest will continue until the government restores their old pay scale and implements the Fit-Pay Commission.

Nursing organizations have warned that if the government does not meet their demands soon, they will intensify their struggle. The existing emergency services will also be shut down within two days if their demands are not met.