Hundreds of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) in Kerala took to the streets of Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, staging a sit-in outside the government secretariat. This was despite efforts by the Kerala government to disrupt their demonstration by organizing a training session for the workers.
The ASHA workers have been on strike for 36 days, urging the state government to raise their monthly remuneration from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000. This increase was promised in the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) election manifesto in 2021. After the government’s inaction on their demands, the workers have declared an indefinite hunger strike beginning March 20.
The protest has gained widespread support, especially considering the crucial role played by ASHA workers during the Covid-19 crisis. On Monday, workers blocked the primary entrance of the secretariat, later extending their protest to the nearby MG Road.
In a move seen as an attempt to derail the demonstration, the health department announced a palliative care training program for ASHA workers across several districts. However, many of the workers who attended the session showed their support for the strike.
Opposition leader V D Satheesan slammed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for not engaging with the workers and criticized the government for its efforts to undermine the protest.
While the government has withdrawn certain conditions related to the honorarium, the workers have stated they will continue their protest until their key demands, including a salary increase and a Rs 5 lakh retirement benefit, are fulfilled.
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