The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association (KGMCTA) has confirmed its decision to proceed with a full-scale strike on November 13th, following the collapse of talks with Health Minister Veena George on Monday. The Health Minister offered assurance regarding the immediate release of arrears owed from the 2016 pay revision. However, contingent on consultations with the Finance Department, KGMCTA representatives dismissed this as insufficient.
They are demanding a formally minuted meeting involving the Finance Minister and a written commitment addressing their concerns.
The association stated that the strike action is a result of the state government’s persistent neglect of their long-standing issues. As part of this, the fourth phase of the relay action, all Outpatient (OP) services, non-urgent elective surgeries, and teaching classes will be entirely suspended across all government medical colleges on November 13th.
The KGMCTA's principal demands centre on correction of pay anomalies, immediate disbursement of arrears dating back to the 2016 pay revision, creation of necessary teaching posts before new medical colleges are established, urgent filling of existing vacancies and improvement of infrastructure facilities for both medical staff and patients.
The KGMCTA has been implementing a relay boycott of OP duties since July 1st, protesting the government’s failure to act on delays in pay revision and the critical shortage of teaching staff in medical colleges. The association highlighted that even after their OP boycott on October 28th, the government failed to initiate discussions or take any corrective measures.
The KGMCTA has issued a stern warning that the industrial action could escalate into an indefinite strike if the government continues to be indifferent towards the issue.
Crucially, essential services will be maintained during the strike, including: casualty and emergency care, intensive care unit (ICU) services, labour rooms, emergency operating theatres, in-patient treatment, and post-mortem services.
The KGMCTA noted that previous phases of protest were deliberately planned to minimise inconvenience to patients, but stressed that the government’s apathy has left them with no choice. They concluded that the state government must bear full responsibility for any public hardship resulting from its lack of action.
Also read: Kerala local body polls on Dec 9, 11; counting on Dec 13
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