Denying Minimum Wage To ASHA Workers Is Violation Of Human Rights: Justice (Retd) Santosh Hegde

ASHA workers' indefinite strike in Bengaluru calls for increased wages and benefits with strong support from Justice (Retd) Santosh Hegde and unions.

Bengaluru:ASHA workers in Karnataka have launched an indefinite strike demanding fair wages and improved working conditions. The protest, which began on January 7, has united approximately 25,000 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) under the Karnataka Rajya Samyukta Asha Karyakarteyara Sangha, supported by All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC). The workers are staging their demonstration at Freedom Park here.

The ASHA workers are calling for a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 15,000, along with additional benefits like better retirement plans and official recognition as government employees. Currently, the workers receive Rs 5,000 from the Karnataka government and Rs 2,000 from the Centre. However, delays in payment due to discrepancies on government portals, such as Ashasift and the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) portal, have compounded their struggles.

The strike has gained significant support from former Lokayukta Justice (Retd) Santosh Hegde, who visited the protest site on Wednesday. Addressing the crowd, Justice (Retd) Hegde condemned the denial of minimum wages to ASHA workers, calling it a violation of human rights.

"Denying minimum wage to ASHA workers is a violation of human rights," he said. He also urged the government to cut unnecessary expenditures to meet the workers' demands. "The unity displayed by ASHA workers across Karnataka is commendable," he added.

The striking workers have submitted a memorandum outlining their demands to health department officials, including Dr Triveni, Director of Health, and Dr Prabhugowda, Deputy Director of the ASHA Program. Key demands include a Rs 15,000 monthly honorarium, and an additional Rs 2,000 for urban workers, removal of work-entry mandates in Ashasoft and RCH portals, increased retirement benefits, and access to annual health check-ups and free treatment for serious illnesses.

Mateen, an ASHA worker from Bengaluru, shared her experience of not receiving performance-based incentives due to discrepancies in the Ashasoft portal. "Even the Rs 5,000 honorarium does not reach my account fully," she said.

Apoorva, another ASHA worker with 15 years of service, recounted her struggles while caring for a daughter diagnosed with dengue. "No gloves or masks are provided when handling TB samples, and our health is always at risk," she said.

Nagalakshmi D, State Secretary of AIUTUC, affirmed, "We will not call off the strike until our demands are met. ASHA workers are the backbone of the healthcare system."