Anganwadi workers stage massive protest in Bhubaneswar, seek pay hike, pension and government employee status

Nearly 50,000 Anganwadi workers and helpers from across Odisha staged a protest at Lower PMG Square in Bhubaneswar on Monday, pushing an 11-point charter of demands that seeks higher salaries, monthly pensions, and recognition as government employees.

Sources reported that the protesters called for immediate implementation of revised pay, including Rs 18,000 for Anganwadi workers and Rs 9,000 for helpers, along with service benefits at par with regular staff under the state administration. They insisted that their roles should be formally upgraded in line with the National Education Policy. 

“We are asking to be recognised as teachers under the National Education Policy,” one of the protesters said.

Pay, Pension And Designation Changes Sought

Reports added that the protesting Anganwadi workers demanded monthly pensions of Rs 5,000 for retired Anganwadi workers and Rs 3,000 for helpers, with the term “retirement” used officially instead of “disengagement.”

According to protest groups, long-serving employees who exit the system face humiliation due to the terminology used in state records. The striking workers said that the government must correct this while ensuring post-service welfare.

Workers Say Promises Remain Unfulfilled

The agitators alleged that many assurances given by the government during earlier demonstrations have not been honoured. One of them claimed that the administration had announced a one-time amount of Rs 3,000 during the elections, even though it was not part of their initial demands.

“The government gives assurances but is negligent in fulfilling them,” she said, adding that despite repeated promises, many frontline workers have yet to receive the mobile phones mandated for field tasks. “We have to borrow phones from husbands and kids… those who cannot face loss of pay,” she added.

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Protest Planned Ahead Of Assembly Session

The workers strategically assembled before the upcoming Assembly session to ensure their demands are heard without obstructing legislative functions. A participant said the protests were not aimed at confrontation, but at securing the minimal facilities required to carry out government-assigned duties.

“We do not want to hamper the government’s work, but we want it to recognise our issues,” she said, emphasising that their demands were not personal incentives but necessary for smooth functioning. “These demands will only allow us to complete government-mandated tasks,” she said.

The state government officials are yet to issue a response. The protesters said they would continue their demonstration until concrete steps are taken.