TN nurses stage hunger strike demanding permanent employment, 550+ detained

More than 550 nurses were detained on Thursday night in Chennai after staging a hunger strike demanding permanent employment and other benefits, police said. The protesters, who refused to disperse, were later released early Friday at the Kelambakkam bus terminus , but many resumed their demonstration shortly afterwards.

The protest was organised by the Tamil Nadu Nurses Development Association and included nearly 600 nurses recruited under the Medical Services Recruitment Board (MRP) from various districts. These nurses were initially appointed in 2015 under a consolidated pay system, with a promise of regularisation after two years, a commitment that remains unfulfilled. The DMK government has been criticised for failing to honour its election promises to regularise their services and grant permanent job status, and instead has been seen as focusing on other priorities rather than taking concrete steps on their demands, leaving nurses still in contract roles without benefits such as equal pay or maternity leave

The nurses’ primary demands include permanent employment status for all MRP nurses, maternity leave, and equal pay for equal work. They have accused the DMK government of failing to honour election promises made while in opposition.

The ongoing protest highlights growing frustration among contract healthcare workers in Tamil Nadu, who have been urging authorities to address long-standing employment and benefits issues. The demonstration underscores the wider concerns of nurses seeking job security and equitable working conditions.