The Tarn Taran unit of the All India ASHA/Facilitator Workers' Union staged a protest on Tuesday, burning an effigy of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at the SDM office complex. The demonstration aimed to highlight the low honorarium and heavy workload faced by ASHA workers and facilitators.
Protest Details and Leadership
The protest was led by district leaders Manjit Kaur, Gurwant Kaur, and Balwinder Kaur. Workers gathered in large numbers, raising slogans against the state government. District general secretary Seema Sohal and trade union leader Swaran Singh Koharka addressed the gathering, emphasizing that ASHA workers and facilitators receive a very meagre honorarium despite being assigned workloads far greater than those of many permanent employees.
Government Accused of Indifference
Speakers at the event alleged that the Punjab Health Minister has failed to address the concerns of ASHA workers. They accused the government of showing complete indifference towards their demands and crossing all limits of arrogance. The union announced that it would continue its protest by burning effigies of the government in different districts across Punjab until July 16.
Other Participants
Several other leaders addressed the gathering, including Prabhjit Kaur, Paramjit Kaur Muse, Damanjit Kaur Manan, Parsin Manan, Poonam of Tarn Taran, Davinder Kaur Chabal, Lovejit Kaur, and Amarjit Kaur. The protest marks a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute over wages and working conditions for health workers in Punjab.
