After ASHAs, Anganwadi workers start protest in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: After ASHA workers, a section of Anganwadi workers on Tuesday began an indefinite protest outside the Secretariat here, demanding a hike in their minimum wages and post-retirement benefits.

Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers have already been protesting in front of the Secretariat for over 36 days, seeking post-retirement benefits and a hike in their honorarium.

Raising similar demands, the Anganwadi workers claimed before reporters that their honorarium is never paid in one go and is disbursed in instalments.

They also claimed that those who retired from the service after working for over 40 years are not given any pension despite a deduction of Rs 500 from their monthly wages for post-retirement benefits.

They also alleged that they had to spend out of pocket for the needs of the Anganwadis.

The ASHA workers had on Monday laid siege to the Secretariat by blocking its main gate till evening and also announced an indefinite hunger strike by three of its leaders from March 20 as part of the third phase of their ongoing agitation.

Though the protesting leaders acknowledged the state government's action of issuing an order relaxing 10 eligibility criteria for receiving an honorarium, they made it clear that they would not end their stir until their major demands were met.

According to the Left government, it has not received any cash grant from the central government under the National Health Mission (NHM) for 2023-24 for payment towards various Centre-sponsored schemes, including for ASHA.

The central government has, however, rejected the state's claims and contended that it has given what was due, but the utilisation certificate has not come from Kerala.

It said that once the certificate is issued, the requisite amounts will be given to the ASHA workers and the state.

Union Health Minister J P Nadda also announced in Parliament that the NHM's Mission Steering Group has decided to raise the incentives for ASHA workers.