Bhubaneswar: The government must implement salary, social security, and other benefits for ASHA workers. This demand was articulated in a resolution passed at the third triennial, two-day national conference of the All India ASHA Workers Federation, affiliated with the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, held at the Utkal Vipannna Sahayata Samiti (Seva Bharati) auditorium in Bhubaneswar.
The conference took place on March 2 and 3, chaired by Anupa Vishwakarma, President of the ASHA Federation. Hirannyay Pandya, All India President of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, inaugurated the conference, which was also attended by Dr Mukesh Mahaling, the State Minister for Health and Family Welfare. Other notable attendees included Surendra Kumar Pandey, Senior leader /Scheme In-charge of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Shri Badal Maharana, State President of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Odisha, and Hemlata, General Secretary of the ASHA Federation Odisha. Approximately 200 ASHA representatives from various states across India participated in the convention.
The resolution passed during the two-day conference states, “Under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, there are approximately 10,22,265 ASHA workers operating across the country under the National Health Mission (NHM). These ASHA workers provide information on health-related needs in rural and urban areas, offer primary medical assistance, consult on and arrange necessary services, refer complex cases, assist individuals in reaching health service centres, and raise awareness about cleanliness and sanitation. They also help in creating clean drinking water facilities and toilets, among other tasks. However, despite these responsibilities, the government does not provide any fixed honorarium or salary to ASHA workers; instead, they receive a small incentive based on the implementation of respective schemes.”
The resolution further notes, “On September 11, 2018, the Prime Minister, through a video conference, interacted with ASHA workers and announced that their incentives would be doubled. However, a subsequent letter from the concerned ministry stated that the incentive for five routine and recurring activities would be increased from Rs 1000 to Rs 2000, while the established incentive amount/rate for other activities remained unchanged. Consequently, ASHA workers feel disheartened and cheated.”
The resolution concludes, “Statistics show that since ASHA workers began their efforts in the country, maternal and child mortality rates have consistently decreased. In addition to the aforementioned tasks, state governments assign various other responsibilities to ASHA workers that are related to the Women and Child Development Department, Revenue Department, Social Welfare Department, Health Department, and other departments. These are the same tasks performed by government employees in the states. Therefore, ASHA workers, ASHA Sahyoginis, ASHA Sanginis, ASHA Facilitators, and B.T.T Coordinators should receive a salary rather than incentives and honorariums. Furthermore, the other demands outlined below should be promptly addressed for ASHA workers.
• Ensure that ASHA workers receive a minimum salary of TRs 18,000 per month, ASHA Sahyoginis and ASHA Facilitators receive Rs 24,000 per month, and B.T.T Coordinators receive Rs 30,000 per month.
• ASHA workers, ASHA Sahyoginis, ASHA Facilitators, and B.T.T Coordinators should be included in the scope of EPF and ESI, and pension benefits should be provided.
• In the event of an accident or death during work, ASHA workers, ASHA Sahyoginis, ASHA Facilitators, and B.T.T Coordinators should receive a compensation amount of Rs 5 lakh.
• A lump sum retirement benefit of ₹10 lakh should be provided to ASHA workers, ASHA Sahyoginis, ASHA Facilitators, and B.T.T Coordinators.
• Arrangements should be made to train experienced ASHA workers in vaccination.
• By removing work restrictions, qualified ASHA workers should be promoted to the positions of ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife) and ASHA Sahyogini-Facilitators.
• ASHA workers should receive uniforms (dress code) twice a year, or payment for the dress code should be ensured.
• Resting facilities should be provided for ASHA workers at hospitals.
• Travel allowances should be provided for the journeys undertaken by ASHA workers to perform their duties.
• The age limit for the “Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan” scheme, which applies to unorganised workers, is currently set between 18 and 40 years. This age limit should be increased to 60 years so that ASHA workers can also benefit from it.”
ASHA workers’ contributions can never be denied, says Health Minister.
In the inaugural session of the programme, the Health and Family Welfare Minister of the state, Dr Mukesh Mahaling, stated that ASHA workers are our frontline workers, and their contributions can never be denied. He expressed gratitude to all ASHA workers for their dedication and hard work. The government is committed to ensuring the development of ASHA workers and fully protecting their rights.
Additionally, the government’s aim is to raise awareness among ASHA workers about their rights and to provide them with all the necessary resources to perform their work more effectively. Ensuring that ASHA workers receive their rightful entitlements is our priority.
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