THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With multiple rounds of talks, including at the minister level, failing to yield results, ASHA workers are set to launch an indefinite strike from Thursday.
Representatives of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association had met NHM director Dr Vinay Goyal on Wednesday morning and Health Minister Veena George in the evening.
Despite the government acknowledging the legitimacy of the workers’ demands, there was no progress on key issues, including increasing the monthly honorarium to Rs 21,000 and providing retirement benefits of Rs 5 lakh. With no concrete action forthcoming, the ASHA workers rejected both Goyal and Veena’s requests to call off their strike.
S Mini, vice-president of the association, said many members had volunteered for the hunger strike.
“Three ASHAs, selected via a draw of lots, will begin hunger strike at 11am,” she said.
Tripling honorarium not immediately feasible: Minister Veena George
The workers, who have been protesting in front of the Secretariat for the past 38 days, had been hopeful when they were invited for talks with Goyal. However, disappointment set in when the talks failed, leaving many in tears.
Their hopes were briefly revived when Veena invited them for another discussion at the assembly building. However, when that too ended without a resolution, the workers alleged the discussions were merely an attempt to placate them ahead of their hunger strike.
“The government expects ASHA workers, who serve the most marginalised sections of society, to sympathise with its financial constraints. However, we do not believe the state’s coffers are empty. They have funds for other salary hikes and extravagant celebrations, none for us,” said an ASHA representative who attended the discussions.
Veena said the demand to increase the honorarium from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000 was not immediately feasible. “The government is not against raising the honorarium, but tripling it requires careful consideration,” she said, while claiming that only around 400 of the state’s 26,125 ASHA workers were participating in the strike. She also dismissed allegations of excessive workload.
“There is no additional work beyond what is mandated by national standards. The Centre has not increased the incentive since 2006. It is disappointing that ASHAs have resorted to a hunger strike,” she said, while also adding that the government respects democratic protests and is handling the situation accordingly.
Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and requested to hold talks with the ASHAs. Satheesan said the CM had responded positively to the request.
“The government should take proactive steps to resolve the issue. If a solution is reached, I will be the first to commend them,” he said.
