Hyderabad: ASHA Workers Demand Pay Hike, Regularisation of Jobs

Hyderabad: Around 3000 ASHA workers protested at the health department in Koti demanding regularisation of their salaries and benefits such as provident fund, release of PRC arrears, ESI and other insurance benefits on Monday.

Many of them have been working for more than 10 years and being paid an honorarium of a paltry Rs 9,000, they said.

P.Jayalakshmi, state president, Telangana Asha Workers Union told Deccan Chronicle, “We want the government to fulfil our demands, including increasing salary to Rs 18,000 and resolving issues pertaining to PF, ESI, retirement benefits, accident insurance and all those given to regular health workers. We met the health director and he assured us that a three-member committee will be formed to address all related issues”.

S. Pramila, an ASHA worker for 18 years, said that she started working on a monthly allowance of Rs 25 and continued to work hoping that someday the government will recognize their contribution, which is overdue.

Vijaya Laxmi Bharathi, a worker from Ameerpet, said, “We want the Chief Minister to give us a fixed pay by regularising our jobs”.

All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) state deputy general secretary M. Narasimha said that the indefinite strike had been called off after the meeting with the health director and his assurances of a panel to look into their demands.