ASHA workers across Karnataka have called off their indefinite strike after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 10,000, effective from April, along with assurances to address their other demands. The decision followed extensive discussions on Friday, January 10 between the Chief Minister, health department officials, and representatives of the ASHA Union.
The workers, who had been protesting at Freedom Park since January 7, expressed satisfaction with the outcomes and confirmed they would resume duties on Saturday, January 11. Health Commissioner Sivakumar KB communicated the government’s decisions to the protesters at Freedom Park, marking a significant step forward in their eight-year-long struggle for better pay and working conditions.
The government has assured a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 10,000, supplemented by incentives for additional tasks performed as part of their duties. The government also assured three months of paid leave in the event of hospitalisation due to serious illness. Furthermore, the state has committed to reviewing retirement benefits, increasing the budget allocation for ASHA workers, and involving their union in pre-budget discussions for effective planning.
Currently, ASHA workers receive Rs 2,000 from the Union government and Rs 5,000 from the state, along with Rs 1,500 for additional tasks performed in primary health centres. However, the workers had been demanding the state increase its share to Rs 8,000, citing inconsistencies in the current incentive structure. Their other demands included a fixed honorarium of Rs 15,000, additional pay of Rs 2,000 for urban workers, Rs 5 lakh as a one-time retirement benefit, and annual health check-ups.
D Nagalakshmi, state secretary of the Karnataka Rajya Samyukta ASHA Karyakartara Sangha, had said that fulfilling their demands would cost the Union and state governments only Rs 170 crore annually.
The government’s announcement marks the culmination of an eight-year-long campaign for improved pay and conditions.