International workers’ union writes to CM on ASHA issue

The support for the agitation led by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in the State, demanding fair remuneration and retirement benefits, has been growing, with the struggle assuming larger dimensions as a women’s rights movement.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, Kate Lappin, the Asia Pacific Regional Secretary of Public Services International (PSI), the Global Union Federation representing more than 30 million workers worldwide who deliver public services, has requested the State government to meet with the ASHA Union leaders to resolve their concerns.

Ms. Lappin appealed to the Government of Kerala to “ provide global leadership in support of women health workers” and to recognise ASHA workers as public health workers.

She said that the work of Community Health Workers is vital for public health and sustainable development and should be treated as work, deserving of living wages, respect and recognition. PSI has been working with women community health workers and their unions across South Asia and the world to end the gender-based exploitation of their unrecognised labour, she added..

The International Labour Organisation’s Committee of Experts on Application of Conventions (CEACR) unequivocally affirmed in its 2022 report that community health workers are “undoubtedly covered by the fundamental rights and principles at work.”

Ms. Lappin pointed out that while the more than one million ASHAs in India are denied their fundamental rights, similar workers in Pakistan (known as Lady Health Workers), have secured the right to be recognised as public health workers, receiving a minimum wage.

These workers receive a monthly wage, leave entitlements, provident fund and retirement benefits.

She urged the Government of Kerala to take immediate and effective steps to ensure that ASHAs enjoy fair, dignified, decent and secure working conditions.

Kerala should be providing clear leadership on a fundamental labour rights struggle, for other States in India to follow, she pointed out.

She hoped that the State government will prioritise the demand of ASHAs for a monthly honorarium of ₹21,000 and retirement benefits of ₹ 5 lakh to those leaving the service at 62 years and thus demonstrate its commitment to social equity, public health and workers’ rights.