Kerala government gives three job options to returnee nurses

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Tuesday offered three options to the 534 nurses who had to return from Iraq and Libya due to the conflict in those countries. The options were finalised at a meeting here chaired by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and attended by officials and representatives of five companies owning hospitals in the Middle East and in the country. Of the 534 nurses, 39 hold a BSc nursing degree, while the remaining hold a diploma in nursing. A government official who attended the meeting told IANS on condition of anonymity that there are practical difficulties faced both by the nurses who have not got their experience certificates from Libya or Iraq, and by the hospital authorities, because such certificates are essential for getting a job permit in all the Middle East countries. 'After discussions, three options have been put forward to the 534 nurses. On Nov 18, these nurses have to convey their decision,' said the official. In the first option, these nurses will be given three months training here to prepare for the mandatory tests. Upon clearing the tests they will be given jobs in any of the Middle East hospitals owned by the five companies which took part in today's talks. In the next option, the nurses can work as 'Patient Aid' in these Middle East hospitals at a maximum monthly salary of Rs.50,000, and also prepare for the qualifying exam. Once they pass it, they will be absorbed as nurses. The third option is that these nurses can work in any of the hospitals in the state owned by these five groups for a maximum salary of Rs.18,000 per month. 'The nurses have to indicate their preference on Nov 18 when the committee meets again,' said the official.