ASHA workers 'disappointed' as committee recommends hike in their honorarium

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Recommending an increase in the monthly honorarium for ASHA workers, the government-appointed Haritha V Kumar committee has proposed a hike of Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500. The report suggests that workers with over 10 years of service be granted a Rs 1,500 raise, while others receive Rs 1,000 more. Ensuring the timely disbursal of honorarium by the 10th of every month was among the major recommendations. The report made no mention of the ASHA workers' persistent demand for a Rs 5 lakh retirement benefit. The workers, currently on protest, have also been demanding a raise in their monthly honorarium to Rs 21,000. The committee was constituted six months ago to examine the scope for revising honorarium rates. However, the report was not officially released by the government. The reports contents surfaced only after an RTI application was filed. Terming the report disappointing, ASHA workers said it reflects an anti-worker and anti-women stance, especially surprising since four out of the five members in the panel are women. The protest, which will complete eight months on Friday, is expected to intensify. On October 22, ASHA workers plan to march to Cliff House, the Chief Minister's official residence, demanding direct intervention and resolution. Thousands of ASHA workers from across the state will join the march, said the KAHWA members. Hundreds rally at Kerala Secretariat in support of ASHA workers' protest for fair wages