Tamil Nadu Nurses Protest 11-Month Contract Hires

The Tamil Nadu Nurses Empowerment Association is strongly opposing a recent health department decision to fill 4,724 vacant staff nurse positions on an 11-month temporary contract. These roles, previously filled through the Medical Services Recruitment Board, will now be offered through District Health Societies with a monthly salary of ₹21,000. The association highlights the contradiction of hiring temporary staff while nearly 4.75 lakh registered nurses in the state are awaiting government jobs.

The association's general secretary stated that appointing nurses on such temporary contracts denies them future permanent employment opportunities and job security, which is deemed unjust. Furthermore, they expressed concern that this approach could compromise healthcare quality, particularly in rural primary health centers where these temporary nurses are likely to be posted. The group is urging the department to withdraw the decision and prioritize permanent recruitment for stable public health services.