Kerala ASHA workers demand ₹21,000 honorarium and removal of the 62-year retirement age, citing financial hardship and job insecurity
Thiruvananthapuram: The high social and health indicators of Kerala are indisputably bolstered by its robust healthcare setup , but it is the tireless efforts of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers at the grassroots level that have been instrumental in driving these achievements.
At present hundreds of ASHA workers in Kerala are facing financial hardship. In a desperate bid for relief, these workers have gathered in front of the seat of power - the State Secretariat, to demand overdue payments of their monthly honorarium of Rs 7000, which has been pending for three months.
The ASHA workers have also raised the demand for an increase in their honorarium to Rs 21,000 and withdrawal of the stipulation of 62 retirement age.
For the majority of these workers, who hail from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, this payment is a vital source of income.
ASHA workers serve as a vital link between communities and government’s socio welfare and health programmes. They play a crucial role in monitoring the health of vulnerable populations, including the elderly. Key tasks carried out by ASHA workers include conducting home visits for palliative care, regular health check-up of elderly people, ensuring timely vaccination of children, assisting in OP wings, reporting on the health of pregnant women, tracking births and deaths besides assisting in awareness programmes.
These tasks demonstrate the critical role ASHA workers play in supporting community health and well-being.
Kerala with its significant elderly population of 16.5 per cent and high prevalence of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, blood pressure and hypertension, relies heavily on ASHA workers to monitor the health of its most vulnerable citizens. These workers also play a vital role in the state's healthcare system, making their ongoing strike a cause of concern.
Interestingly, the LDF ministers, known for touting Keala's impressive social-health indicators, have been lax in addressing the strike. Finance Minister K N Balagopal's comment that the ASHA works stir is politically motivated has only aggravated the situation causing further agony among the workers.
Notably the CPI , the second largest ally of the ruling CPM in Kerala has urged the government to promptly address the workers' concerns. CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said that the LDF government should concede the ASHA workers' demands at the earliest.
The CPI's stand echoes the sentiments of many who feel that the government has neglected the genuine demands of ASHA workers while catering to the interests of elite sections.
