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Key Points

Kerala's ASHA workers are maintaining their determined protest despite the Centre's recent wage hike announcement. The workers are now challenging Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to match the central government's incentive increase. Their leader, Mini, emphasizes that they will continue their agitation until the state government responds positively. The protest, now in its 168th day, has garnered support from MPs across political parties.

Key Points: Kerala ASHA Workers Challenge Vijayan on Wage Hike Demands

  • Centre increases ASHA workers' monthly incentive from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500
  • Retirement benefit raised from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000
  • Protest continues outside State Secretariat for 168 consecutive days
  • Workers received cross-party support from Kerala MPs
2 min read

Kerala ASHA workers to continue protest, demand CM Vijayan match Centre's support

Kerala ASHA workers continue 168-day protest, seeking state support after Centre's wage increase, demanding Chief Minister Vijayan match central incentives

"We will not end our protest until the state government delivers justice. - Mini, ASHA Workers' Leader"

Thiruvananthapuram, July 26

Even as the Centre announced a hike in the fixed monthly incentive for ASHA workers from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500, the protesting workers in Kerala have vowed to continue their agitation until the Pinarayi Vijayan-led state government steps up with matching support.

On the 168th day of their ongoing protest outside the State Secretariat, ASHA workers expressed gratitude to the Centre but insisted that the state government must now fulfil its responsibilities.

Mini, the leader of the protesting ASHA workers, said on Saturday, "We welcome the Centre's decision, but now the ball is in Chief Minister Vijayan's court. We will not end our protest until the state government delivers justice."

She noted that the workers had organised two marches to Parliament to highlight their plight, and received support from Kerala MPs across party lines, including Congress and BJP, who raised the issue in Parliament.

On Friday, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav informed Kerala MP N.K. Premachandran said that the Centre had approved the incentive hike. Additionally, the one-time retirement benefit for ASHA workers completing 10 years of service has been increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000.

"Now that the Centre has fulfilled its part, the state government must act too. The claim that Kerala's financial position is weak is misleading. It is the state government that assigns us most of the work, and we carry it out diligently. The onus is on them to respond," Mini added.

Despite four rounds of conciliation talks with the Vijayan government and a separate meeting with State Health Minister Veena George, the deadlock remains unresolved.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
I support the ASHA workers fully, but I wish they wouldn't politicize this issue. Both Centre and State need to work together for their welfare. Why make it a tug-of-war between governments? At the end, it's the workers who suffer.
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Ananya R
My mother was an ASHA worker for 12 years before retiring. The amount of work they do - from immunization drives to maternal care - is unbelievable. Rs 3,500 is still too low considering their contribution. State should at least match it and add some local incentives too!
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Vikram M
Kerala government always boasts about its healthcare achievements. But how can they ignore the very workers who make it possible? Shameful! These women walk kilometers every day in rain or sun - their demands are completely justified.
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Sarah B
As someone working in public health, I must say ASHA workers are grossly underpaid across India. Kerala should set an example by going beyond just matching the Centre's hike. Their work during COVID was phenomenal - they risked their lives with minimal protection.
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Karthik V
The government finds money for unnecessary projects but pleads poverty when it comes to paying frontline workers? Typical! ASHA didis deserve much more than what they're getting. Hope this protest wakes up the authorities.

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