More than just handmaidens – They do all the grunt work of bringing people back to health but are scarcely given the credit. Nursing is one of the most underappreciated professions and it seems that these workers have had enough as they kept protesting for the third consecutive day on Saturday in Lahore for their demands be met by the Punjab government.
The protests have largely been confined to the provincial capital but there have been protests in Rawalpindi and Islamabad as well, signalling that the grievances are not localised but spread throughout. Hence, the Punjab government would do well to understand that this is not a problem that they can brush under the carpet by getting the nurses to postpone their protests or gloss over by offering eyewash-type bargain chips.
None of their demands are outrageous. They are asking for pay increases, a revised service structure and regularisation of ad-hoc nurses. Given that they are such a vital part of the health infrastructure, it is only fair that their recompense should match the work that they put in. It is indeed exploitative that these nurses are expected to put in 12 hour shifts without being paid overtime and have little job security as many are not made permanent even after years of service. The fact that this system has not been rationalised means that even the contractual ones are not given any special benefits as they do not fall in the category of doctors and paramedics. They do not even have an allowance of free medication for infectious diseases that they are at a high risk of contracting, such as hepatitis.
Those griping about how these protests are paralysing transport and health facilities would do well to remember that these very same nurses held the fort when the doctors launched their (much longer, much louder) protests earlier this year. This same cadre of nurses also worked tirelessly during the dengue epidemic. Now, their services are being admirably rewarded with baton charges by policemen and egging by traders. A great way to care for one’s caregivers.
The Punjab government has constituted a committee to negotiate with the leadership of the Young Nurses Association. Here’s to hoping that they and their demands will be given the respect and consideration they deserve.
