Visakhapatnam: Anganwadi workers, led by union president V. Lakshmi, stopped minister Botsa Satyanarayana's car on Monday in Vizianagaram, demanding an end to the Essential Services Maintenance Act (Esma) and fulfillment of their demands.
Lakshmi presented a memorandum outlining their demands, including revoking Esma, wage increases, and full implementation of welfare schemes. Botsa acknowledged the memorandum and responded by stating that all but one demand had been addressed. He specified that wage hikes would occur after the upcoming elections, without elaborating on the other resolved demands. He further clarified that wage reviews would be conducted every five years, not annually.
Despite the minister's assurances, the Anganwadi workers remained dissatisfied. Unsatisfied with his vague assurances on revoking Esma and the delayed wage hike, Lakshmi declared their intention to continue and intensify the strike.
"He keeps asking us to return to work but offers no concrete timeline for ending Esma or raising wages. Therefore, we will continue our protest," Lakshmi told this correspondent.
