Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has issued an order implementing a unified shift system for all categories of employees, including nurses, in private hospitals across the state, irrespective of the number of beds.

The order, issued by the Department of Employment and Skills, is expected to provide relief to hundreds of workers in the private health sector. Dated October 18, the new order amends a previous directive that limited the three-shift system to private hospitals with more than 100 beds. A copy of the order was shared with the media on Tuesday.

Based on the recommendations of the Veerakamar Committee and the Private Hospital Industry Liaison Committee, a 2021 order had made all employees in hospitals with over 100 beds eligible for a three-shift system (6/6/12 hours). It also entitled them to overtime pay for work exceeding eight hours per day, 48 hours per week, or 208 hours per month.

The order further directed hospitals to provide restrooms for employees who lack transport to return home after duty. Considering feedback from sector representatives, the government has now expanded the rule to cover all categories of employees in all private hospitals in the state, not just those with more than 100 beds.