UNI Asia & Pacific affiliates honour care workers on International Nurses and Midwives Days

UNI Global Union affiliates in India, South Korea, and Sri Lanka recently marked International Midwives Day (5 May) and International Nurses Day (12 May) to celebrate the contributions of nurses and midwives, while drawing attention to the systemic challenges they continue to face.

Despite differences in national context, the message from the region was consistent: nurses and midwives deserve more than expressions of gratitude—they deserve decent work, dignity, and lasting recognition.

In Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand state in eastern India, a seminar organized by the Jharkhand State Health Care and Anganwadi Employees Federation (JSHCAEF-IN) brought together over 100 nurses to reflect on their struggles and aspirations. The event underscored the importance of unity, appropriate recognition, and improved working conditions for nurses across India. 

While in Pune, around 25 nurses gathered for a special International Nurses Day program organized by UNICare Affiliate Rastriya Mazdoor Sangh (RMS) at Congress Bhavan. The event honoured nurses’ contributions and called for greater unity across Maharashtra. Highlights included a tribute to Florence Nightingale, an oath ceremony, a street play on workplace sexual harassment by the RMS women’s wing, and the distribution of appreciation gifts. Key RMS leaders were present, reinforcing their commitment to the rights and recognition of care workers.

In Seoul, the Korean Health and Medical Workers’ Union (KHMU) and Federation of Korea Medical Industry Unions (FKMTU) jointly  convened a testimony forum at the National Assembly Members’ Hall, shedding light on the persistent gap between legislative progress and realities on the ground.

KHMU Chairperson Choi Hee-sun remarked, “Last year, we achieved the result of enacting the Nursing Act, but nurses in the field are still suffering from free labour and proxy work by doctors.” Testimonies at the forum highlighted widespread concerns, including chronic staffing shortages, sleep deprivation, accumulated fatigue, and rising workplace accidents among nursing professionals.

In Sri Lanka, the Government Midwifery Services Association (GMSA) marked this year’s theme—“Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis”—with a gathering that honoured midwives’ vital role in supporting maternal and newborn health. The event paid tribute to the often-invisible labour of midwives, especially those working in crisis settings and underserved communities.

The UNI Asia & Pacific Regional Organization commends these initiatives and stands in firm solidarity with affiliates advocating for the rights of health professionals and allied health workers. By advancing the recognition of these essential caregivers, we strengthen not only their professional standing, but also the overall quality and resilience of healthcare systems across the region.