Kerala Implements Unified Shift System for Private Hospital Staff

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 21 (PTI) — The Kerala government has announced a new directive to introduce a unified shift system across all private hospital employees, including nurses, throughout the state, regardless of the hospital bed count. This decision comes as a relief to numerous workers in the private health sector, as stated in an order issued by the Department of Employment and Skills.

Dated October 18, the new order modifies a previous rule, which applied the three-shift system solely to private hospitals with over 100 beds within Kerala. A copy of this updated order was shared with the media on Tuesday. The initial rule, based on recommendations from the Veerakamar Committee and insights from the Private Hospital Industry Liaison Committee in 2021, allowed a three-shift system (6/6/12 hours) exclusively for employees of larger hospitals.

As per this directive, employees are eligible for overtime pay if they work beyond eight hours daily, 48 hours weekly, or 208 hours monthly. It also mandates that hospitals provide restroom facilities for employees who might not have adequate transport options to return home. Reacting to feedback from industry representatives, the government has expanded the regulation's coverage. The revised order now encompasses "all categories of employees in private hospitals in the state," abolishing the restriction to hospitals with over 100 beds.