ASHAs protest against Union Budget

The Kerala ASHA Health Workers’ Association (KAHWA) has expressed its strong protest over the Union Budget which, it says, has completely ignored the demands of lakhs of scheme workers, including Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), across the country.

In a statement here on Monday, the KAHWA criticised both the Centre and the various State governments for failing to ensure fair wages for the ASHAs, who have been working hard as frontline health workers to promote public health. The ASHAs, who are the frontline warriors of the public health system and who play a crucial role in safeguarding and promoting community health, continue to face serious exploitation across the nation. The KAHWA pointed out that nationwide, the ASHAs have been agitating demanding decent wages and redressal of their long-pending grievances.

In Kerala, the 266-day strike by the ASHAs, led by the KAHWA, had succeeded in drawing national attention to the poor pay and service conditions of the ASHAs . They said the strike had played a decisive role in bringing the grievances of the ASHAs to the forefront, garnering widespread public opinion in favour of these workers. It is thus very disappointing that despite the widespread public support gained by the ASHAs and strong demands from various quarters to end the exploitation of these women “volunteer” workers who are paid meagre wages and incentives, the Union Budget is totally silent about their welfare and livelihood concerns, the KAHWA said..

It pointed out that many years ago, the Indian Labour Conference (ILC) had passed a resolution recommending that the ASHAs be recognised as regular workers and be provided statutory wages and other service benefits.

The present Union Budget failed to address the most fundamental issues of nearly one crore women scheme workers.

The KAHWA called for scheme workers to unite nationwide and to organise intense protests to secure decent wages, dignity and job security. It urged all organisations working in the sector, including Central and State trade unions, to come together to give strength to the ongoing fight of the ASHAs.