Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 15: Asha Workers Union Jammu, affiliated with CITU, held a protest demonstration here today to highlight its demands.
A number of ASHA workers, led by general secretary Sunita Bhagat, took out the protest demonstration from Green Belt Park to Divisional Commissioner’s office. The protesting ASHA workers were holding red flags and placards in their hands and raising slogans in support of their demands, like their recognition as employee, minimum wages, changing room, Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana, pre-paid mobile, uniforms and better service conditions.
Speaking on the occasion, senior CITU leader Sham Prasad Kesar highlighted the grievances of ASHA workers, who have to work for at least 7 to 8 hours daily but are considered as voluntary health activists and are not paid even minimum wages.
Kesar demanded that considering the crucial nature of their job, ASHA workers should be regularized as health workers and paid the statutory minimum wages in the State. He added that continuous struggles of ASHA and effective leadership and support of the Central Trade Unions under the leadership of CITU have resulted in the recommendations of the 45th Indian Labour Conference that ASHA must be recognized as employees, be given minimum wages and pension. But both the Congress which led the earlier Government and the BJP which is leading the present Government, are keeping mum on this crucial question, he rued.
The protest demonstration was also addressed by Com Om Parkash, Sunita Bhagat, Kanta Devi, Anita Devi, Anu, Rekha, Lata, Vimla and other senior leaders of ASHA Workers’ Union. They demanded implementation of Government of India’s order dated 3rd January 2014 for revision of incentive from 10000/- to 16000/- per year, implementation of minimum wages, payments on account of Janani Suraksha Yojana, coverage under Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana, cash payment to beneficiaries, postnatal check ups, Immunization, Vaccine carrier, mobile charges, family planning, etc.
The union also submitted a memorandum of demands to the Divisional Commissioner and warned to intensify the struggle if their demands are not conceded.
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