Mangaluru: Tara Ballal, president of the Dakshina Kannada District Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Association, has demanded that Anganwadi workers and helpers be paid a minimum wage instead of an honorarium and that gratuity and ESI benefits be extended to those who retired from service since 2011.
She was speaking at a press conference held at the Press Club in Mangaluru.
Workers seek higher monthly payment
Ballal said Anganwadi workers have been serving the system for nearly five decades, but continue to receive only ₹12,000 as an honorarium, while helpers receive ₹6,000.
She demanded that the monthly honorarium be paid by the fifth of every month and be increased to ₹15,000 for Anganwadi workers and ₹10,000 for helpers.
According to her, Anganwadi workers carry out several responsibilities, including pre-school education, distribution of nutritious food, home visits and implementation of health and vaccination programmes.
She said their responsibilities have also expanded beyond the core functions of the Anganwadi system, with workers being assigned duties such as Booth Level Officer (BLO) work and census-related activities.
Demand to stop non-departmental duties
The association demanded that Anganwadi workers should not be deployed for duties unrelated to their department.
Ballal also objected to using Anganwadi workers to mobilise people for government programmes, saying such assignments add to the workload of workers who are already responsible for several services at the grassroots level.
The association sought measures to ensure that Anganwadi workers can focus on their primary responsibilities of providing services to children, pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Gratuity and ESI for retired workers
A key demand raised at the press conference was the extension of gratuity and Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) benefits to Anganwadi workers and helpers who have retired since 2011.
The association said workers who have spent years serving the Anganwadi system should receive appropriate social security and retirement benefits.
Ballal urged the authorities to consider the demands and take steps to provide greater financial and social security to both serving and retired Anganwadi personnel.
Demand for better facilities
The association also called for improvements in the facilities and resources available to Anganwadi workers.
It demanded that funds meant for purchasing eggs be credited directly to the accounts of beneficiaries. The workers also sought 5G mobile phones and high-quality uniforms to help them carry out their responsibilities more effectively.
Another demand was for contingency funds to be provided for maintaining cleanliness at Anganwadi centres.
The association also sought an increase in the allowance provided for meals during meetings. The existing allowance of ₹30 should be raised to at least ₹250, they demanded.
Association members attend
District Association secretary Ashalatha, treasurer Renuka, State Association treasurer Vishalakshi, district vice-president Gulabi, City Association member Sheelavathi and Bantwal Taluk president Vijayavani were present at the press conference.
The association urged the government to consider the demands concerning remuneration, retirement benefits, working conditions and additional duties assigned to Anganwadi workers and helpers.