ASHA workers’ strike: Netas call for CM’s intervention

T'puram: Senior political functionaries cutting across party lines, including former CPI minister C Divakaran, have called for the immediate intervention of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to find a solution to ASHA workers' strike. Divakaran said the govt should try to settle the strike in front of the Secretariat at the earliest.
"The strike has caught national attention. If the chief minister intervenes, it can be settled in five minutes," Divakaran said. CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam also supported the health workers and wanted the govt to address their grievances at the earliest.
The National Human Rights Commission, meanwhile, urged central and state govts to work in tandem to address the problems faced by the ASHA workers. Former opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, who addressed the ASHA workers, said the CM should take the initiative to settle the strike by inviting them for talks.
"The CM should invite them for talks and consider their legitimate demands. Their honorarium should be increased. They should be given retirement benefits. Who can live with a Rs 232 daily allowance?" Chennithala asked.
He said the Congress would stand by the protesting ASHA workers until a solution was reached. He rejected the allegations that the Congress party was trying to hijack the protest for political gains. "There is no politics in this protest. The group comprises people who work and believe in different political parties. The state govt, which has no qualms about making substantial increases in the remuneration and allowances of PSC chairman and members, should not turn a blind eye to ASHA workers," he said.
The strike completed 13 days on Saturday. Following the protest, the govt sanctioned pending allowances. However, the ASHA workers are not ready to end the strike until the govt approves their demand for a remuneration hike. Their demands include an increase of honorarium to Rs 21,000 from the existing Rs 7,000, sanctioning of pension and Rs 5 lakh as retirement benefits.