ASHA workers protest, submit demands to DC

The Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) Workers’ Union (Sanjha Morcha), Punjab, on Tuesday held a protest in front of the District Administrative Complex (DAC) in Tarn Taran to voice the demands of ASHA workers. The facilitators also submitted a memorandum addressed to the CM and Health Miniser to the Deputy Commissioner (DC).

Sanjha Morcha leaders Manjinder Kaur Harike, Seema Sohal, Lakhwinder Kaur Chabal and Veerpal Kaur Bhagupur addressed the gathering. Amandeep Kaur Kot Budha, Sarabjit Kaur, Rajwinder Kaur Paragpura, Soma Chuslevar, Manjit Kaur Kirtowal also participated in the interaction.

The speakers demanded that ASHA workers and facilitators who had completed 10 years of service be brought under the ambit of minimum wages and be provided a regular monthly allowance of Rs 26,000. They called for suspended allowances to be restored and then increased. The speakers also demanded that the travelling allowance be increased and ASHA workers be recruited in urban areas as well. They also presented their retirement demands and said that following in the footsteps of Haryana, the state should make a fixed payment of Rs 5 lakh on workers’ retirements in addition to providing half of the workers’ salary as pension.

The speakers strongly condemned the indifferent attitude of the state government toward their demands. District president of Punjab Subordinate Services Federation Karaj Singh Kairon expressed solidarity with the demands of ASHA workers and facilitators.