Kerala’s ASHA Workers Welcome Centre’s Monthly Pay Hike – Know Who Benefits

ASHA workers in Kerala who have held a long running protest over pay and pensions have welcomed the Central Government’s recent announcement to increase their monthly fixed incentive. The incentive has finally been increased from ₹2000 to ₹3500, the first increase since the introduction of the ASHA programme 18 years ago.

It was reported that the decision was taken at the 9th meeting of the Mission Steering Group and will benefit more than 10 lakh ASHA workers across the nation. Other than the hike in incentive, the post-retirement benefit has also been increased from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000.

“A Victory for Our Struggle,” Say Leaders

State vice president of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association, S Mini, expressed guarded optimism when speaking to reporters at Thiruvananthapuram. “We welcome the Centre’s announcement. It keeps in line with what was promised by Members of Parliament in support of our cause, during our protest,” she said. Mini further stated that ASHA workers had marched to parliament twice with these demands and this latest development was the result of these ongoing protests as reported by Hindustan Times.

But she made it clear that the agitation will remain until the Kerala state government will also revise the honorarium, at present ₹7,000, with a request for ₹21,000 and a pension amount of ₹5 lakh.

Protests Continue in Kerala

A portion of ASHA workers have been protesting outside the Secretariat in Kerala from February 10, demanding state level pay increases. While the Centre’s step is seen as a welcome decision, the workers are insisting that nothing will change until both governments acknowledge their contribution to public health.

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