‘Church should stop indifference on nurses benefits issue’

Kochi: Catholic Church should stop its ‘indifference' regarding nurses' benefits and should view the issue compassionately, Moolampilly Coordination Committee, which fought for the rehabilitation of families displaced by Vallarpadam international terminal, urged."Church is not intervening in the issue even as the nurses are agitating in many hospitals run by it in a peaceful manner, without affecting their functioning," said Francis Kalathunkal, general convenor. The committee reminded Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese that church is guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ, who offered solace to the suffering and the oppressed. Noting that most of the nurses hail from underprivileged backgrounds, the committee demanded that church accept the nurses' legitimate demands and settle the strike immediately. The demand comes even as United Nurses Association (UNA) is set to hold a protest march to Ernakulam-Angamaly Diocese Bishop House on Tuesday. The various demands of the nurses include a minimum basic salary of Rs 40,000, implementation of the 2023 wage revision and uniform wage structure.