INSEC Condemns Denial of Minimum Wage to Private Hospital Nurses
INSEC Condemns Minimum Wage
29th October 2025, Kathmandu
The controversy stems from a directive issued by the Government of Nepal in Mangsir 2081 (late 2024).
INSEC Condemns Minimum Wage
This instruction mandated that nurses working in private health facilities should receive a salary equivalent to the government’s fifth-level pay scale, which is Rs 34,730.
However, the nurses currently leading the protest action are complaining that private hospitals have simply ignored this official instruction. This widespread defiance has brought the issue of minimum wage private hospital nurses to the forefront of national discussion.
INSEC Cites Constitutional and Legal Violations
INSEC President Dr. Kundan Aryal released a statement reminding all stakeholders of the legal obligations at play. They emphasized that the Constitution of Nepal, specifically Article 34, guarantees every worker the right to proper pay, equal opportunity, social security, and a secure working environment.
Furthermore, the Labor Act, 2074 (2017), and the Minimum Wage Determination Order, 2081, legally require all employers, including private hospitals, to implement the government-stipulated minimum wage.
INSEC stressed that the failure of many private hospitals to meet this legal requirement represents a profound violation of labor rights. They argued this goes beyond a simple legal infraction; it is an insult to human dignity.
The organization pointed out that healthcare workers shoulder sensitive and demanding responsibilities. It is thus a source of shame for both the state and society to deny them even the basic minimum wage.
Calls for Dialogue and Lasting Reform
The human rights body is actively pushing the government and the private hospital operators to engage in meaningful dialogue with the striking nurses. The goal is to establish a permanent and sustainable resolution to the pay dispute.
The organization asserts that a simple temporary fix will not be sufficient. A long-term commitment is necessary to ensure fair remuneration across the entire health sector.
Active Compliance Must Replace Passive Disregard
The onus is now on the private health sector to actively comply with the government’s directive. Private hospitals must stop disregarding the minimum wage mandate.
They must start paying their healthcare staff a dignified and legally required salary. The current situation, where the immense contributions of nurses are undervalued and underpaid, is simply unacceptable.
The state must enforce compliance and protect the rights of these essential workers. Ignoring the law undermines the rule of law itself and perpetuates the exploitation of a highly skilled and dedicated workforce.
The issue of minimum wage private hospital nurses must be resolved swiftly to ensure justice and maintain quality healthcare.
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