Srinagar: Expressing serious concern over the plight of ASHA workers who act as the backbone of the health system, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on Monday accused the government of neglecting their demands.
A spokesperson of the Union said: “ASHA workers have been protesting for quite some time and staged protest demonstrations at almost every district on Monday in Jammu & Kashmir highlighting their genuine demands, and seeking regularization and increased incentives for their work.”
“These workers are given tasks such as conducting health surveys of households in the areas, besides routine vaccinations and health-related work. These workers under NHM act as a bridge between the government and the people due to a human resource shortage in the health system and are working on meager incentives,” the spokesperson said.
“The government must recognize the role of these workers and take measures for their regularization. These workers may be covered under the Minimum Wages Act and be provided social security and pension benefits. There are reports that some workers are assigned other work such as issuing tickets which overburdened their work and must be stopped immediately,” he said.
CITU urged the government to recognize the services of these ASHA workers and pay them an adequate honorarium, maternity benefits, mobile phones, social security, pension, and priority during recruitment of ANMs to implement the slogan of “Nari Shakti” and “Beti Bachao, Beti Padoa”.
