Latest news with #ASHAs'
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
KAHWA accuses Kerala government of being vengeful towards ASHAs
The Kerala ASHA Health Workers' Association (KAHWA) has accused the Kerala government of being vengeful towards ASHAs, close on the heels of a statement made by the Chief Minister that the government was not prepared to enter into any compromise with the ASHAs in the matter of an enhanced pay package. At a press conference here on Monday, KAHWA leaders accused the government of slashing ASHAs' honorarium of ₹7,000 by bringing in new caveats regarding incentives. They alleged that the majority of ASHAs had received only ₹3,500 in April as honorarium in place of the usual ₹7,000. They said that one of the primary demands raised by ASHAs had been that the 10 conditions linked to the full payment of the honorarium be dropped. The Health Minister, during discussions, had agreed to non-conditional payment of honorarium. However, the subsequent government order released by the government regarding the same had been ambiguous and the ASHAs had claimed that rather than drop the conditions fully, the government had tagged the same to the incentives received by ASHAs. The government had denied this allegation. KAHWA leaders said that as per the 'new' conditions, ASHAs, whose fixed incentive is ₹1,000 and whose performance incentive is less than ₹500, will henceforth receive only ₹3,500 as honorarium. Thus, many ASHAs across districts had received only ₹3,500 as the honorarium for April, they said. They demanded that the new condition, which cuts the honorarium of ASHAs, be withdrawn immediately. The KAHWA also alleged that the government, despite promises, continued to maintain an erratic schedule of payment of honorarium and incentives. By slashing the honorarium and not making payments properly, the government was trying to impose a financial squeeze on ASHAs. Indefinite strike The indefinite strike launched by ASHAs under the banner of KAHWA entered the 113th day on Monday. The KAHWA claimed that the strike was being prolonged because of the government's undemocratic, anti-labour and anti-woman stance towards ASHAs' fair demand for a better pay. Meanwhile, KAHWA members have been carrying on their Statewide tour of all districts, to generate public support towards their cause. They have toured nine districts in the past 29 days and the public outpouring of support has been immense, KAHWA leaders said. ASHAs will take out a mega rally in Thiruvananthapuram on June 18, at the conclusion of their Statewide tour.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
ASHAs to take out protest march from Kasaragod to T'puram
Thiruvananthapuram: Protesting ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) will intensify their agitation by launching a statewide protest march, beginning in Kasaragod on May 5 and concluding here on June 17. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association ( KAHWA ) said on Monday the decision to launch the protest march was taken as the govt had not shown any willingness to resolve its 71-day strike demanding a hike in honorarium and retirement benefits. KAHWA state general secretary M A Bindu will lead the march. Its flag-off will coincide with the May Day rally to be organised in front of the Secretariat on May 1. Association leaders said the 45-day march would be an unprecedented event in the women's labour movement in the state. ASHAs will travel through each district for two-three days, sleeping on the streets at night, similar to the ongoing sit-in in front of the Secretariat, they said. The ASHAs' decision came against the backdrop of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurating the fourth anniversary celebrations of his govt in Kasaragod on Monday. The govt's decision to allocate Rs 25.91 crore for a state-wide publicity campaign to mark the anniversary, even while it refuses to accept the striking ASHAs' demand citing financial crunch, has invited criticism. "We are confident that the public will support this protest march. Prominent personalities will participate in reception meetings in various cities across all 14 districts. After 45 days on the road, the march will reach the Secretariat on June 17, when ASHAs from across the state will join it," one of the KAHWA leaders said. "Despite 71 days of round-the-clock protest and 33 days of indefinite hunger strike in front of the Secretariat, demanding an increase in honorarium to live without hunger and retirement benefits, the govt has not relented and is displaying an unprecedented anti-democratic attitude towards these poorest female workers," the leader said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The protesting ASHAs said their strike had won public support both within and outside the state. "People have supported our demands, but the govt remains unwilling to address even our minimal requests. Its arrogant and narrow-minded response to our protest is a challenge to the democratic framework. We have decided to extend the protest across the state in the context of the support from the civil society, especially social and cultural activists," an association leader said. MSID:: 120483367 413 | 878156304 83
