Thousands expected to take part in meet at Secretariat | Protest gains wider support | Finance department releases Rs 52 crore for two months' honorarium

FOR the past 10 days, an average of 700-800 ASHA workers have been staging protest in front of the Secretariat demanding an increase in their honorarium from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000, complete removal of the stringent guidelines currently imposed on the honorarium, improved working conditions, a retirement benefit of Rs 5 lakh, to stop delay in payments, withdrawal of the order that mandates retirement at the age of 62 and to stop the imposition of excessive workloads.

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As the protest gained wider support, the finance department on Wednesday released Rs 52 crore for two months' honorarium. The ASHA workers are organising a massive gathering, 'Maha Sangamam', on Thursday at the Secretariat in which thousands are expected to take part.

"The government has said that they have released Rs 52.85 crore to cover two months' honorarium, but none of us got it credited in our account. Many of us are struggling without travel expenses to join the 'Maha Sangamam' protest to be organised on Thursday," said S Mini, state vice president.

ASHA workers monitor maternal and child health, lead vaccination drives and support chronic disease management. Despite their role, the state's 26,478 ASHA workers receive a monthly honorarium of only Rs 7,000.

"Completing all assigned tasks is nearly impossible. If we miss any of the 10 assigned duties, Rs 700 is deducted per task. Most of us end up with just Rs 5,500. How can we survive on that in today's world? That too is not credited on time. None of us are from well-off families, some are struggling to make the ends meet," said M A Bindu, state general secretary.

Many of them are from far away districts but have come down to join the protest in solidarity to the cause.