ASHAs to campaign during local body elections

ASHAs have decided to reach out to every ward during the upcoming local body elections, urging people to deliver a verdict against those who insulted the ASHA struggle and belittled its demands, a statement issued by the Kerala ASHA Health Workers’ Association said here on Thursday.

ASHAs have also decided to organise extensive campaign activities during the election period that a damning verdict be given those who kept the struggling ASHAs on strike on the streets all these days, braving the elements. They will also continue their protest in front of the Secretariat and district Collectorates.

KAHWA said the ₹1,000 increase in honorarium announced by the Chief Minister was not a charity or an act of generosity by the government, but the result of the 263-day-long struggle waged by ASHA workers on the streets.

ASHAs said their demand for an honorarium of ₹21,000 a month — which effectively works out to the established minimum wages of ₹700 a day in the State — and retirement and pension benefits were too important to be given up.

A rally pledging to continue the strike raising various demands would be taken out in front of the Secretariat on November 1, in which ASHAs from across the State as well those cultural leaders and political figures who have vociferously stood for ASHAs will also take part, KAHWA said.