ESIC Nursing Officers Announce Indefinite Strike Starting July 22

The All India ESIC Nursing Officers' Federation has announced a phased nationwide protest, culminating in an indefinite strike effective July 22, 2026. This escalation comes in direct opposition to the Employees' State Insurance Corporation's Annual General Transfer-2026 orders. The Federation claims the recent transfer policy is discriminatory and lacks transparency, leading to significant personal and professional hardship for staff members across the country.

Nursing staff argue that the current transfer exercise violates existing policies and previous government assurances. The Federation reports that many employees, particularly women, have been reassigned to stations exceeding 1,000 km from their current posts, effectively ignoring family responsibilities, child education, and the needs of elderly parents. Additionally, local issues have compounded the tension, with units like the ESIC Medical College and Hospital in Sanathnagar, Hyderabad, reporting critical shortages of medical supplies and poor infrastructure, which the nursing union insists must also be addressed.

The protest action begins July 16 with nursing officers wearing black badges, followed by a major demonstration on July 20 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and other regional centers. A peaceful march to the Ministry of Labour and Employment headquarters will precede a day of mass casual leave on July 21. Should their core demands for the withdrawal of the current transfer list and a collaborative review process remain unaddressed, the total indefinite strike will commence the following day. This could lead to significant disruptions in medical services provided by ESIC hospitals across India.