Thiruvananthapuram: Doctors employed by the Kerala government will stay away from work on Tuesday in protest against the latter's "inordinate delay in meeting promises".

On more than one occasion, the government had turned a deaf ear to the many demands put forward by medical professionals.

The demands include time-bound higher grades, promotion in 3:1 ratio, and an increase in rural-difficult rural allowance.

The government was also urged to reconsider slashing basic pay by Rs 8,500 for entry-level medical officers and imposing further restrictions on promotions.

Despite the Finance Department giving an assurance in writing that the demands put forward by medical professionals will be met, no progress was made.

“This shows the utter disregard Health Department has towards medical professionals,” read a press release issued by the Kerala Government Medical Officers' Association.

The Association has planned demonstrations outside the office of the Directorate of Health Services here and other district offices across the state.

The protests were initially planned in January in response to the government's failure to accommodate their demands then. However, it was postponed on account of the COVID wave.

Though another protest was held on May 1, it failed to make any difference. Hence, the September 13 protest, the Association said.

It has also informed that medical professionals will go on mass leave on October 11 if the government's callous attitude towards them continues.