The Kerala government has turned down key demands from ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers, who have been staging a relentless protest outside the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram for over 58 days. Labour Minister V Sivankutty stated that the government has already extended the maximum possible concessions, with Health Minister Veena George holding five rounds of talks to resolve the standoff. He also made it clear that further discussions would require a preliminary consensus.
The ASHA workers, vital to Kerala’s grassroots healthcare system, are demanding a hike in their monthly honorarium from ₹7,000 to ₹21,000 and inclusion of retirement benefits. However, they firmly rejected the government’s proposal to form a committee to review these demands, calling it a delay tactic. The Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association (KAHWA) has reiterated its demand for immediate action.
While the workers remain steadfast, the state government insists it has improved their working conditions by eliminating the retirement age cap of 62 years, clearing pending dues, and revising honorarium eligibility. Health Minister Veena George also pointed out that ASHA workers currently receive an additional ₹3,000 in fixed incentives, blaming the Centre for not contributing to the ₹100 crore needed for payments despite repeated requests.
As tensions grow, the impasse between the government and protesting ASHA workers continues, with the latter determined to persist until their voices are heard and their demands fulfilled.
