ASHAs stage protest over pending dues, threaten statewide agitation

Mysuru: District unit activists of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), under the aegis of the All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), staged a protest in the city on Wednesday, demanding the release of their pending honorarium and incentives. They alleged that incentives for the past two months have not been released for work carried out under various health schemes, including detection of tuberculosis, leprosy, and non-communicable diseases.They demanded the immediate release of two months’ honorarium by the state govt and two months’ incentives by the Union govt. The protesters also sought disbursal of incentives and honorarium on the fifth of every month, instead of the current practice of releasing them once every three to four months. They opposed the govt’s decision to reduce incentives.The ASHA workers further urged the release of component incentives pending for several months, an end to harassment in the name of performance evaluation, and a one-time retirement settlement for ASHAs who have retired from service. They also called for an increase in honorarium and incentives to Rs 10,000. Pointing out that the state govt has increased the monthly honorarium of midday meal and anganwadi workers by Rs 1,000, they demanded a similar hike for ASHAs.The protesters warned that they would intensify their agitation across the state if their demands are not addressed.