Kathmandu, 19 Oct: Private hospitals in Nepal are paying nurses less than unskilled laborers. Despite obtaining nursing education and professional skills, nurses are earning less than salespersons at Bhaktabhateni Super Store. In Pokhara, nurses at Manipal and Gandaki Medical College have gone on strike, halting all work in protest of low salaries. Similar pay disparities exist in other private hospitals across Kathmandu and the country.
At Manipal Hospital, nurses earn a basic salary of only NPR 12,000, and even after adding allowances, their total monthly pay reaches just NPR 15,000. At Gandaki Medical College, nurses reported a basic salary of NPR 12,000 and a total of around NPR 19,500 with allowances. According to the Labor Act, the minimum monthly wage for any worker — even unskilled ones — is NPR 19,500. Both hospital administrations claim they are paying salaries according to this act.
However, private hospitals are employing skilled nurses — who spend over three years and hundreds of thousands of rupees on their education — for wages lower than those of unskilled laborers. Compared to nurses who work in sensitive health settings, even entry-level employees at private companies receive better pay and benefits. For instance, Bhaktabhateni Super Store offers its salespersons a minimum monthly salary of NPR 21,000, along with bonuses and overtime pay, even though their job requires no specialized education.
Government’s Directive on Minimum Nurse Salary Ignored
Recognizing this issue, the government had directed private hospitals and medical colleges eight months ago to pay nurses salaries and benefits equivalent to those in government hospitals. According to the Ministry of Health, a fifth-level nurse should receive a minimum monthly salary and benefits totaling NPR 38,000.
Yet, most private hospitals have ignored this directive, insisting they can only provide the minimum wage set by the Labor Act. The hospitals argue that they are following the Labor Act, which stipulates the base salary for unskilled workers, but the Health Ministry clarifies that nurses should not fall under this category.
Health Ministry and Nurses Demand Fair Pay
Health Ministry spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki stated that nurses should not be paid under the Labor Act provisions, as the act defines wages for unskilled laborers. “Nurses are skilled health professionals, and they must be provided salaries and facilities according to existing laws, policies, and government directives,” he said.
He emphasized that there is no alternative to granting nurses benefits equivalent to those of government employees and that opportunities for professional growth up to the 12th level should also be ensured.
The protesting nurses are demanding fair compensation as skilled professionals, not the minimum wage meant for unskilled laborers. “Private hospitals registered under the commitment to follow government policies must comply with its directives,” Dr. Budhathoki added.
Despite these clear government orders, most private hospitals continue to resist, halting operations instead of addressing the nurses’ concerns. In response, the government on Sunday formed a 14-member committee led by Additional Secretary Dr. Shreekrishna Shrestha to resolve the issue of nurses’ pay and benefits.
