Bengaluru: Karnataka’s ASHA workers fight for fair pay

Student Reporter, Jan 7, 2025, 7:10 PM IST

Image credits: Chukki

Bengaluru: Over a thousand Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers began an indefinite strike at Freedom Park on January 7, demanding fixed wages, enhanced incentives, and better compensation for extra work from the Central and State governments.

Despite reassurances from Dr. Triveni, Director of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Department of Health, and Prabhu Gowda, ASHA Program Officer, the workers have vowed to continue their protest until they meet the Chief Minister.

Key Demands

Nagalakshmi, State Secretary of the All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), outlined the workers’ demands as “fixing a total monthly honorarium of Rs 15,000, including an additional Rs 2000 as compensation for extra work in the incentives provided by the governments.” She added that Karnataka workers should also receive an annual increase of Rs 5 lakh, similar to the service pension received by workers in West Bengal.

The ASHA workers say they have been fighting at the taluk, district, and state levels for their wages without receiving resolutions for their problems. The honorariums they currently receive are grossly insufficient to meet today’s expenses. “We won’t stop until the Chief Minister fulfills the promises he made last year,” said Manjuala Gonavara, District Secretary of AIUTUC.

ASHA workers from across Karnataka gathered at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park, united in their demand for justice. Protests have been ongoing at taluk, district, and state levels, with no satisfactory resolutions. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Abolish ASHA Soft” and “Down with the state government for failing to keep its promises.”

Support from Leaders

K. Uma, State Secretary of the SUCI Communist Party, condemned the government’s apathy towards ASHA workers. “You ASHAs are a source of hope for women and girls. The government’s promises remain unfulfilled, and its intimidation tactics are unacceptable,” she said, urging the workers to persevere.

K. Radhakrishna, President of the AIUTUC Central Committee, criticized the growing inequality in wealth distribution and the shift from permanent to contract-based jobs. “During COVID-19, ASHAs were hailed as frontline warriors. Today, they face neglect and exploitation,” he said.

Prominent activists and leaders, including D. Nagalakshmi, State Secretary of the Karnataka United ASHA Workers’ Association, K. Somashekhar, State Secretary of AIUTUC, M. Umadevi, T.S. Rama, and Dr. Sudha Kamath, stood in solidarity with the ASHA workers from across the state.

Written by: Chukki, School of Communication and Media Studies, St Joseph’s University, Bengaluru