Mangaluru: The Karnataka State Samyukta ASHA Workers’ Association, affiliated with the All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), has intensified its campaign for better remuneration and working conditions, submitting memorandums to elected representatives and health officials in Dakshina Kannada district.

The association submitted memorandums to Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, Mangaluru City South MLA Vedavyas Kamath, Mangaluru City North MLA Dr Bharath Shetty and the Mangaluru taluk health officer, urging them to intervene and address the long-pending demands of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA).

The association has also announced a state-level indefinite overnight protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru from November 17. The principal demand of the agitation is a minimum monthly honorarium of Rs 15,000 for ASHA workers.

Demand for Rs 15,000 monthly honorarium

The association has expressed dissatisfaction with the state government’s approach towards the remuneration of ASHA workers, alleging that repeated assurances have not translated into meaningful improvements in their financial conditions.

According to the association, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had earlier assured workers that their monthly honorarium would be increased to Rs 10,000 with effect from April 2025. However, the association alleged that the government had failed to fulfil this assurance.

It further pointed out that the total increase in the monthly honorarium provided by the Karnataka government over the past nine years amounted to only Rs 1,500.

The association maintained that the existing remuneration was inadequate considering the responsibilities shouldered by ASHA workers in delivering healthcare services at the grassroots level.

ASHA workers play an important role in connecting communities with the public healthcare system. Their responsibilities include creating awareness about health and hygiene, supporting maternal and child healthcare initiatives, encouraging institutional deliveries, assisting with immunisation programmes and facilitating access to government health services.

The association argued that the nature and extent of their responsibilities warranted better financial recognition and a dignified livelihood.

Citing Kerala and other states

To strengthen its demand, the association cited the remuneration provided to ASHA workers in other states.

It pointed out that ASHA workers in Kerala receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 12,000, questioning why Karnataka could not offer comparable or better remuneration.

The association also referred to West Bengal, Maharashtra and Haryana, where increases in the honorariums of ASHA workers have reportedly been implemented.

According to the association, Karnataka should take similar measures to improve the financial security of its ASHA workforce.

It argued that workers who form an important link between the healthcare system and the public should not be made to struggle for basic financial security despite their contribution to public health programmes.

Questions government spending priorities

The association also criticised what it described as the government’s failure to prioritise the welfare of ASHA workers.

It questioned why the state government, which allocates substantial funds for guarantee schemes and road development projects, could not provide a monthly honorarium of Rs 15,000 to ASHA workers.

Referring to Karnataka’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of approximately Rs 33 lakh crore, the association argued that providing better remuneration to the workers should be financially achievable for the government.

It maintained that the demand for Rs 15,000 was reasonable in view of the services rendered by ASHA workers and the increasing responsibilities associated with their work.

The association said that better remuneration would help recognise their contribution and provide them with greater financial stability.

Pending payments and mobile phones among demands

Apart from the demand for an enhanced monthly honorarium, the association has placed several other issues before the government.

One of its major demands is the immediate release of pending payments due to ASHA workers. The association has expressed concern over delays in payments, which it said have added to the financial difficulties faced by workers.

It has also demanded that mobile phones be provided to ASHA workers for carrying out their official responsibilities.

The association pointed out that workers are currently required to use their personal mobile phones for official duties. Since several healthcare-related activities and reporting responsibilities involve mobile-based communication and digital applications, the workers believe that the government should provide the necessary devices.

The association has called for appropriate facilities and support to enable ASHA workers to discharge their responsibilities without having to bear additional personal expenses.

Appeal for public support

The association stated that ASHA workers had been continuously fighting for their rights, better working conditions and a dignified livelihood for several years.

It appealed to intellectuals, prominent personalities, farmers, workers and other sections of society to extend their support to the proposed agitation.

The association said the protest was intended to draw the government’s attention to issues that had remained unresolved despite repeated representations and assurances.

Indefinite protest at Freedom Park from November 17

The association has warned that thousands of ASHA workers from across Karnataka will assemble at Freedom Park in Bengaluru from November 17 to participate in the state-level indefinite overnight protest.

The agitation will continue until the government responds positively to their demands, particularly the demand for a minimum monthly honorarium of Rs 15,000.

With the submission of memorandums to elected representatives and health officials in Dakshina Kannada, the association has sought wider political and administrative intervention ahead of the proposed statewide agitation.

The November 17 protest is expected to bring renewed attention to the longstanding demands of ASHA workers and their call for improved remuneration, timely payments and better working facilities.