ASHA Workers Demand Fixed Salaries in Telangana
The Telangana ASHA Workers Union, affiliated with CITU, has urged the state government to implement a fixed salary of ₹18,000 for ASHA workers. They want this demand to be addressed during the upcoming budget session of the Assembly in February. District President Padma and Secretary Sunitha led the protest in Gadwal, starting with a march from Nobel School to the Collector’s Office. There, they staged a dharna and submitted a memorandum to Superintendent Joshi.
The union leaders reminded everyone that ASHA workers had gone on an indefinite strike for 15 days in September 2023. During that strike, the then Commissioner promised to fix their salaries at ₹18,000 and form a committee with IAS officers to resolve their grievances. However, the leaders expressed frustration that these promises were never fulfilled, which they believe contributed to the downfall of the previous government.
The protesters also criticized the current government, which is nearing its first anniversary in power, for ignoring ASHA workers’ issues. They pointed out that the Congress Party had made several promises during the Assembly elections, including fixed salaries, job security, maternity leave, and other benefits. The union accused the government of failing to deliver on these assurances.
In addition to the ₹18,000 fixed salary, the union demanded other benefits such as Provident Fund (PF), Employee State Insurance (ESI) facilities, promotions to Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) positions, weightage marks, and an insurance cover of ₹50 lakh. They warned that if their demands are not addressed in the February budget session, they will launch prolonged protests.
