ASHA workers stage sit-in in Bhubaneswar demanding allowance hike

Even though the Assembly session has concluded, protests in Odisha show no signs of slowing down. A day after junior teachers marched on the streets, ASHA workers gathered at the Lower PMG in Bhubaneswar on Thursday, staging a massive sit-in.

Also Read: Over 13,000 junior teachers stage sit-in in Bhubaneswar demanding regularisation

The demonstration has been called by the Odisha ASHA workers’ union joint front, demanding fulfilment of allowance hike and other long-pending issues. The protesters are seeking an increase in their allowances and official recognition as “workers”.

They argue, as per the resolutions of the National Conference on Labour & Employment, ASHA workers should be granted formal worker status. Their demands include fixing a structured monthly allowance and ensuring a minimum monthly payment of Rs 26,000.

The agitation continued through the day with thousands voicing their grievances and urging the State government to address their concerns immediately, on a priority basis.

“We have been demanding this for a long time. For the first time, we are protesting during the tenure of the new (BJP-led) government. If we will be accorded a permanent worker status, it will entitle us to a salary, pension, and EPF as well,” an agitating ASHA worker said.

“The State government is not keen to grant us social security. We have been demanding a salary of Rs 26,000 and a pension of Rs 5,000 per month. The salary and pension of MLAs, Ministers, the Chief Minister and the Assembly Speaker were recently increased three times. Why should our salary and pension amount not be hiked?” the protestor questioned.

“The party (BJP) was voted to power by the family members of ASHA workers. When it came to increasing our salary and pension, the government is silent,” the ASHA Didi stated.

Worth mentioning, earlier yesterday, Odisha Junior Teachers’ Association revived its protest in Bhubaneswar after the primary teachers’ outfit recently ended its agitation. The junior teachers’ outfit demanded regularisation of the job and launched an indefinite Dharna (sit-in) at the Lower PMG, until the State government issues necessary orders.

Reported By: Swati Jena