Demand for Fixed Salary of ₹18,000 for ASHA Workers: Protest March

DECCAN FREEDOM NEWS

 Mulugu, January 21

ASHA Workers, under the leadership of CITU, conducted a protest march demanding the announcement of a fixed salary of ₹18,000 in the upcoming budget session. The workers marched 5 kilometers from Jangalapally to the Collector’s office and staged a protest before submitting a memorandum of demands to the district official Raj Kumar.

Speaking on the occasion, CITU District Secretary Ratnam Rajender emphasized the need for government welfare schemes to be extended to ASHA workers, including housing for those without homes under the Indiramma housing scheme. He demanded a fixed salary of ₹18,000 instead of honorariums and declared that phased protests would continue until the demand was met.

He reminded the government of its pre-election promise to provide a fixed salary of ₹18,000 to ASHA workers. Rajender expressed anguish that both central and state governments were exploiting ASHA workers without offering fair compensation. He cited states like Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, and Maharashtra, which have implemented fixed salaries for ASHA workers, urging Telangana to follow suit.

During the pandemic, ASHA workers played a critical role on the front lines, providing essential services to the public. Despite this, governments have failed to recognize their contributions adequately. Rajender also demanded that ASHA workers be provided with ESI and PF benefits and called for immediate payment of pending Leprosy Survey funds.

The protest was attended by over 350 ASHA workers, including Union District President R. Neeladevi, Gunadeboyina Ravi Goud, Chunchu Manjula, Devi, Sarita, Shantha Kumari, Satyavati, Nagamani, Ramadevi, Kavitha, Pap, Shravy, Shobha, Madhavi, Rajitha, Chandrakala, Poornima, and Soujanya. The workers pledged to continue their fight for their rights until their demands are met.