Demands not met, over 1,000 Asha workers stay away from duty

Gurgaon: More than 1,000 accredited social health activists (Asha) in the city did not join work on Monday in support of the strike called to protest against the government for not providing them with safety kits, salaries and insurance coverage promised last year.
Some of the agitators came out in groups of about 10 to protest outside primary health centres, sub-centres, office of the chief medical officer and outside the district collectorate’s office.
They also submitted a memorandum addressed to the prime minister, alleging “inhumane” working hours, allocation of technical tasks although they don’t have the required training to handle it, non-payment of salaries and Covid-19 incentive promised in 2020, among others.
The letter was submitted to the deputy commissioner, Gurgaon, Yash Garg. The official, however, could not be contacted for a comment.
“The government only listens when we try and build pressure. Every time workers put forward their concerns and suggestions to improve work at the ground level, they are threatened with punitive action. Coming out on the streets was our only option to make them listen to us,” said Surekha, general secretary, Asha Workers’ Union, Haryana.
Apart from asking for timely payment of salaries the frontline workers also demanded Rs 1,000 as monthly Covid-19 allowance that was promised to them.
The protesters alleged that while the government has formed several teams on paper, in reality, it is the Asha and anganwadi workers who are doing most of the work, like conducting door-to-door surveys, managing vaccination sites, collecting samples for Covid tests and supervising isolation centres.
“We have complained to the health department several times saying that we cannot carry out technical tasks and we need guidance from trained healthcare staff members to do such work. But nothing has been done. We are working round the clock without proper payment. Each time we raise our demands, we are mistreated and sometimes even harassed,” said Meera Devi, district head, Asha Workers’ Union.
The protesters have alleged that despite the promise to give Rs 50 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan package, not a single deceased Asha worker’s family has got the amount.
“At least four Asha workers have died here while on Covid duty but none of the families have got any compensation. We haven’t even got the Rs 1,000 monthly Covid-19 allowance that was promised to us last year,” Meera Devi added.