Bhubaneswar: The Anganwadi workers and helpers' strike under the banner, All Odisha Anganwadi Ladies Workers Association, has entered the 12th day as they continue to demand hike in pay and perks.
Thousands of Anganwadi workers and helpers have been sitting on dharna near the Lower PMG pressing for their demands.
They are demanding hike in the minimum pay of the workers and helpers to Rs 18,000 and Rs 9,000 per month respectively. They also want a minimum pension of Rs 3,000 per month, status of government employees, revised insurance policy and its immediate implementation among others.
"We are dedicatedly working for the effective implementation of the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in the far flung rural areas but we are yet to receive minimum dues and facilities. We have been demanding for a hike in our remuneration over many years, but the government has ignored us," alleged one Anganwadi worker.
"We had approached the Women and Child Welfare Minister in May and also met the chief secretary with our woes but they have turned a deaf ear to our demands. We will continue our agitation till all our demands are fulfilled," said another worker.