Bhubaneswar: Accredited Social Health Activists (Asha) workers from across Odisha demonstrated on Thursday, demanding hike in their remuneration and official recognition as health workers. The protests, which followed recent demonstrations by anganwadi workers, highlighted growing discontent among grassroots-level health and welfare workers in the state.
Their demands included a minimum monthly honorarium of Rs 26,000, compensation of Rs 10 lakh on death during duty or on superannuation from the job, a monthly pension of Rs 10,000 and recognition as permanent health workers under govt schemes.
“Asha workers have been playing a critical role in the state’s healthcare delivery system for the last 19 years. But the current honorarium is insufficient given the rising cost of living and the increasing workload due to additional responsibilities,” said general secretary of Odisha ASHA Karmi Association, Sakuntala Mahakud.
Many workers also expressed frustration over the lack of job security and benefits, despite being on the frontlines of healthcare delivery in rural areas.
“We have been demanding our rightful dues for years. Despite our contribution during critical times like the pandemic, our voices remain unheard,” said Sunita Das, a protestor from Balasore district.
Odisha ASHA Karmi Association, which is leading the agitation, has threatened to intensify their protest if the state govt fails to address their demands. “We will escalate this to a statewide bandh if necessary. Asha workers are the backbone of the healthcare system in rural Odisha, and it’s time the govt acknowledges our work,” a union leader said.
Sources said senior officials of the health department discussed the matter with Asha workers and assured them that they will consider their demands and try to include them in the budget provisions. “We received their memorandum and the govt will consider the demands of the Asha workers,” a senior officer in the health department said.
There are around 50,000 Asha workers in the state. In March 2024, the previous BJD govt had increased their monthly remuneration from Rs 4,000 to Rs 7,500 per month.