Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in Kerala have intensified their protest for better pay and retirement benefits by launching an indefinite hunger strike from March 20, following unsuccessful negotiations with the state government.
After over a month of agitation, ASHA representatives were invited for talks on Wednesday. They first met with top officials of the National Health Mission (NHM) and later with Health Minister Veena George and other bureaucrats. However, the discussions failed to yield a positive outcome, prompting the ASHA workers to proceed with their hunger strike.
Key Demands and Government Response
ASHAs are demanding a substantial increase in their monthly honorarium from the current ₹7,000 to ₹21,000, along with a lump sum retirement benefit of ₹5 lakh. However, the state government cited financial constraints and requested the protesters to reconsider their demand for a 300% hike.
“The government just wanted to show that it held talks with us, nothing more. There were no meaningful discussions on our demands,” said S Mini, a key leader of the ASHA workers’ association. “We will go ahead with the indefinite hunger strike. Many ASHAs are willing to participate, and we will not withdraw until our demands are met.”
Health Minister Veena George, addressing the media after the meeting, assured that she would discuss the issue with Union Health Minister JP Nadda in Delhi. She emphasized that while the state recognizes the need for an honorarium hike, it must be done within financial limitations.
“The State is not saying that the honorarium will not be increased. It will be done in due course as per the government’s capacity,” said George. She also pointed out that Kerala has been a model state in improving ASHA workers’ conditions. As a relief measure, the health department recently issued an order removing conditions that ASHAs previously had to meet to receive their fixed monthly incentives of ₹3,000.
Protest Intensifies
Despite these assurances, ASHAs remain firm in their stance, declaring that they will not call off the hunger strike until their demands are met. The agitation has drawn significant attention, with many calling on the government to recognize the crucial role ASHA workers play in the state’s healthcare system and offer them fair compensation.
The protest is expected to escalate if no resolution is reached soon, with ASHAs determined to continue their hunger strike until the government takes definitive action.
Sources By Agencies