Several local nurses are signing a petition against the recent framework introduced by the government that claimed to up salaries by 15 percent.

RaajjeMV understands that lobbying for the petition is ongoing through a Facebook page with a member count of over 1,500. This includes nurses working in capital city Malé and the atolls.

While the framework was supposed to foster opportunity for training and further education through appraisals, receiving a bump in position every two years, extra allowances were cut and work hours increased.

Some nurses have observed that despite the government providing a guarantee to the contrary, the take-home pay has been drastically reduced.

An employee at a local hospital told RaajjeMV that despite the 15-percent pay raise, due to the added work hours and allowance-cut, makes the new framework detrimental. Another nurse said that take-home pay for them have been reduced by MVR 1,000 on average.

The petition will note 10 points of concern. Nurses involved in lobbying for it have said that they are seeking an audience with the Health Minister.

They have said that they will consider going on strike if such an audience is not granted.