ASHA workers staged a protest in Dharamsala on Thursday, demanding regularisation of their services, fixed monthly salaries, and social security benefits. The demonstration was part of a nationwide call by the All India ASHA Employees Federation, affiliated with the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS). Protesters gathered at Rath Ground in Kullu on Wednesday and later submitted a memorandum to the Kangra Deputy Commissioner, addressed to the Prime Minister, Union Health Minister, and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister.
Key Demands of ASHA Workers
The union leaders highlighted that ASHA workers have been employed under the National Health Mission (NHM) for years, playing a crucial role in maternal and child health services, immunisation drives, public awareness campaigns, sanitation initiatives, and other government health schemes. Despite their significant contributions, they are not recognised as regular employees and receive only incentive-based remuneration instead of a fixed monthly salary.
The union demanded regularisation for all ASHA workers, facilitators, and coordinators, with monthly salaries ranging from Rs 26,000 to Rs 48,000 depending on the post. They also sought annual salary increments, equal pay for equal work, Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), Employees’ State Insurance (ESI), pension benefits, retirement benefits, and a transparent promotion policy.
Additional Benefits Sought
Other demands include a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the bereaved family of an ASHA worker who dies in an accident while on duty, a retirement benefit of Rs 10 lakh, uniforms twice a year, travel allowance, and dedicated rest rooms in hospitals. The union also called for the abolition of the contractual employment system and outsourcing of ASHA-related work to private agencies, and demanded an increase in incentive payments for vaccination-related duties.
The protesters warned that if the government does not take a positive decision on their demands at the earliest, they would intensify their agitation.
