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Key Points

Kerala's ASHA workers have entered the 81st day of their protest, demanding better wages and working conditions. The movement has gained momentum with a planned state-wide rally and support from prominent figures like Mallika Sarabhai. Meanwhile, women police officers have also joined the protests over delayed appointments. Despite partial concessions from the government, the workers remain firm on their demands.

Key Points: Kerala ASHA Workers Continue 81-Day Protest Demand Better Pay

  • ASHA workers demand Rs 21,000 monthly honorarium
  • Mallika Sarabhai backs protest amid censorship row
  • Sarah Joseph leads crowdfunding for ASHA salaries
  • Women CPOs join protests over delayed appointments
3 min read

ASHA workers' protest enters 81st day, new rally announced

ASHA workers in Kerala intensify their 81-day protest, announcing a state-wide rally while gaining support from Mallika Sarabhai and Sarah Joseph.

"I believe these workers everywhere do very important work and are ill paid and used. - Mallika Sarabhai"

Thiruvananthapuram May 1

On International Workers' Day, ASHA workers in Kerala intensified their ongoing protest, which entered its 81st day outside the state Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. The rally, demanding better pay and working conditions, began on February 10 and has become one of the longest-running demonstrations by ASHA workers in the state.

While the hunger strike was called off after 43 days, the movement is entering a new phase. ASHA workers have announced a large-scale rally from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram. It is scheduled to take place from May 5 to 17.

Meanwhile, the protest has received growing public support from Mallika Sarabhai, a well-known classical dancer and chancellor of Kerala Kalamandalam, a deemed university of art and culture. She expressed her solidarity with the ASHA workers in a Facebook post, criticising the restrictions placed on her freedom of expression. She also acknowledged a citizen-led crowdfunding initiative headed by writer Sarah Joseph aimed at raising funds to supplement ASHA workers' salaries.

"Today I got my first taste of what it means to be the Chancellor of a University. Restricted speech. There is an ASHA workers' agitation on in Thrissur about increasing their pay. I believe these workers everywhere do very important work and are ill paid and used. Sarah Joseph is leading a citizens' crowdfunding to increase their salary." Sarabhai wrote.

Sarabhai, further added, "I was asked for my opinion and gave it as me, as I have done all my life. Oh, not allowed any more. Hmmm. How do I stop being me? Do I even want to?"

ASHA workers in Kerala are on an indefinite strike over several demands, including better pay and improved working conditions.

Following the protests by ASHA and Anganwadi workers, women police rank holders have also been protesting. Candidates from the Women Civil Police Officer (CPO) rank list, of which less than 30 per cent have been appointed, staged a protest in front of the Secretariat. According to reports, out of over 900 candidates on the Women CPO rank list, only around 200 have received appointment recommendations so far.

The Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers were protesting in Kerala against the Left Democratic Alliance (LDF) government, demanding a monthly honorarium of Rs 21,000 per month and a retirement benefit of Rs 5 lakh.

On International Women's Day, they organised a massive demonstration in front of the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, joined by women from across Kerala and various women's organisations, further intensifying the agitation.

In an attempt to pacify the workers, the Kerala Health Department decided to release two months' pending dues and relax certain eligibility criteria for honorarium payments.

However, ASHA workers refused to back down, insisting on a substantial salary hike.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments for the ASHA workers' protest article:
P
Priya K.
ASHA workers are the backbone of our rural healthcare! They work tirelessly in difficult conditions. ₹21,000/month is not too much to ask when you see corporate salaries. Government must listen to their genuine demands. #SupportASHAs 🇮🇳
R
Rahul M.
While I support their cause, 81 days of protest is affecting healthcare services. Both sides need to find middle ground. Maybe implement the pay hike in phases? Kerala model should show the way in worker welfare.
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Sunita T.
My mother was an ASHA worker for 12 years. The work is 24/7 - from polio drives to COVID tracking. They deserve pension benefits too! Shame that we need crowdfunding for their salaries when politicians get crores for doing nothing 🙏
A
Arjun P.
Interesting that Mallika Sarabhai is speaking up. Cultural figures supporting workers' rights reminds me of 1970s Kerala. But will this LDF government, which claims to be pro-worker, actually deliver? Actions speak louder than communist slogans.
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Neha R.
Why only Kerala ASHA workers protesting? This should be a pan-India movement! In my UP village, ASHA didis get even less pay. All states must revise their honorariums. Healthcare cannot run on women's unpaid labor 💪
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Vikram S.
The crowdfunding initiative is heartwarming but sets a dangerous precedent. It's the government's duty to pay workers properly, not citizens'. This protest shows systemic failure in valuing women's healthcare work. Solidarity with ASHA workers! ✊

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