Thousands of women ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers in Kerala are braving the scorching summer heat to continue their day-and-night strike in front of the State secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram. They are demanding a hike in honorarium, retirement benefits, and improved service conditions.
The protest, which began on February 10, has sparked a heated political debate. The ruling LDF government appears to be ignoring the workers’ demands, while the opposition parties Congress and BJP have expressed solidarity with the protesting women.
Under the banner of the Kerala Asha Health Workers Association, affiliated with the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI), the ASHA workers are calling for a raise in monthly honorarium from ₹7,000 to ₹21,000, along with retirement benefits of ₹5 lakh, pension, and gratuity.
S Mini, vice president of the Kerala Asha Workers Federation, notes that the demand to increase the daily wage from ₹235 to ₹700 is based on the LDF government’s election manifesto promise. This promise was made in recognition of the vital services provided by ASHA workers during the Covid pandemic, Nipah outbreak, and the 2018 floods.
The Minister of Health, Veena George, defended the government’s position by stating that Kerala pays the highest honorarium to ASHAs. She mentioned that nearly 90 per cent of the workers earn ₹10,000-13,000 per month, with the State contributing ₹9,400. The government had previously raised the honorarium from ₹1,000 in 2016 to ₹7,000 currently.
Despite the government’s assertions, the ASHA workers continue their strike for a fair resolution to their grievances. The protest shows no signs of abating as the workers stand firm in their demands for better compensation and working conditions.
