Synopsis
Asha Workers in Kerala have been on strike for 13 days, demanding better pay and benefits. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala visited the protest site, urging CM Vijayan to resolve the issue. Workers seek an increase in their monthly honorarium and retirement benefits amidst government intimidation.Key Takeaways
- Asha Workers strike continues for 13 days.
- Demands include an increase in honorarium and retirement benefits.
- Ramesh Chennithala advocates for quick resolution from CM.
- Protesters claim the government has threatened them.
- Recent government pay hikes have intensified feelings of injustice.
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 22 (NationPress) Asha Workers have been on an indefinite strike for the past 13 days in Kerala, advocating for improved wages and benefits. On Saturday, esteemed Congress leader and senior MLA Ramesh Chennithala visited the protest site located in front of the State Secretariat to show his support.
Chennithala urged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to step in and bring an end to the ongoing strike.
"If CM Vijayan acts, this protest could conclude in merely 30 minutes. The government bears the duty to tackle this legitimate concern, as these Asha workers have been crucial to the state's health response during crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the catastrophic floods," Chennithala remarked after engaging with the protesters.
Veteran CPI leader and former State Minister C. Divakaran also acknowledged that the requests of these distressed Asha workers are valid and that if CM Vijayan wishes, he could resolve the issue in five minutes.
Approximately 26,000 Asha workers from all over Kerala have been participating in a rotating protest, seeking improved working conditions and equitable pay.
On Thursday, their association heightened the protest into an indefinite strike, pledging not to resume work until their issues are addressed.
Zeenath, an Asha worker present at the protest site, expressed her frustration by stating, "We earn merely Rs 7,000 a month. How can anyone manage a household with that? Upon retirement, we receive nothing. We are anticipating the government to announce a revised honorarium and a one-time retirement benefit."
The protesters are calling for an increase in their monthly honorarium from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000, alongside retirement benefits and resolution of outstanding payments.
Adding to their agitation is the government's supposed efforts to intimidate protesters with threats of "severe consequences" for participating in the strike.
Recent governmental decisions, including a notable pay raise for members of the Kerala Public Service Commission and an increase in travel allowance for K.V. Thomas, Kerala's representative in Delhi, have further fueled the workers' feelings of injustice.
