Bengaluru: ASHA workers across Karnataka observed a state-wide protest week from October 5 to 12 under the leadership of the Karnataka State United ASHA Workers’ Association (AIUTUC), demanding a minimum monthly honorarium of ₹15,000 and the resolution of several long-pending issues.
Association representatives expressed dissatisfaction over the honorarium having increased by only ₹1,500 in nine years, stating that the failure to adjust payments in line with rising prices had worsened workers’ financial difficulties.
The association demanded a combined monthly payment of ₹15,000 through Central and State government honorariums and incentives, along with the immediate release of pending incentive payments.
It also sought quality mobile phones for ASHA workers, solutions to problems involving mobile-based tasks and the release of Central incentives corresponding to work recorded on the RCH portal.
The workers urged authorities to stop making sputum sample collection mandatory and to end pressure to record GPS locations without proper guidelines. They also demanded timely monthly payments.
The association cited Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Haryana and Delhi, stating that ASHA workers in these states receive monthly honorariums exceeding ₹15,000.
Rama T.C., district president of the GBA (BBMP) ASHA Association; district secretary Parana; Bengaluru Urban district secretary Shashikala; and Nelamangala taluk secretary Veena participated in a protest meeting in Bengaluru Urban district.
The association warned that the agitation would be intensified if its demands were not addressed.
