Met With Hostility & Neglect Despite Months of Legwork to Combat Covid, Asha Workers Go On Strike
4 years, 7 months ago

Met With Hostility & Neglect Despite Months of Legwork to Combat Covid, Asha Workers Go On Strike

News 18  

If one lakh ASHA workers had not risked their lives fighting Covid-19 everyday for the past four months, Veena Gupta, the state president of the Uttar Pradesh unit of Asha Karamchari Union, says, “this state would have collapsed under the weight of its own dysfunctional health mechanism”. “The union government announced Rs 50 lakh to the family of Asha workers who get infected with the virus and die but the authorities never get us tested. It’s not just Asha workers, there are Pashu Sakhi, Bank Mitra, profile created for women to do work that government departments cannot do, and to glorify the work and call them “volunteers” while denying them salaries and social securities that come with full-time jobs,” according to Jashodhara Dasgupta, policy advocate and a senior advisor at the non-profit SAHYOG. Lakhs of Asha workers across the country are demanding a basic pay of Rs 21,000 per month, regularisation at jobs, vehicles to reach distant villages and better working conditions.

Work Workers Conditions Covid Gupta Working Asha  months  legwork  jobs  workers  strike  rs  working  neglect  combat  hostility  health  despite  covid19  met  asha  day  covid  work  conditions

History of this topic

Talks fail, ASHA workers to begin indefinite fast on March 20
1 week, 3 days ago

Talks fail, ASHA workers to begin indefinite fast on March 20

New Indian Express  

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With multiple rounds of talks, including at the minister level, failing to yield results, ASHA workers are set to launch an indefinite strike from Thursday. Representatives of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association had met NHM director Dr Vinay Goyal on Wednesday morning and Health Minister Veena George in the evening. With no concrete action forthcoming, the ASHA workers …

ASHA workers start indefinite strike in Bengaluru, demand fair wages
2 months, 3 weeks ago

ASHA workers start indefinite strike in Bengaluru, demand fair wages

New Indian Express  

BENGALURU: Thousands of ASHA workers gathered at Freedom Park here on Tuesday for the indefinite strike urging the government to fulfill their various demands. Members of Karnataka State United ASHA Workers Union affiliated to All India United Trade Union Centre said that there is no question of withdrawing the protest until their demands are met by the government. Speaking to …

Asha Workers Highlight Risks, Hold Protest Seeking Fair Pay
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Asha Workers Highlight Risks, Hold Protest Seeking Fair Pay

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: The Accredited Social Health Activists workers laid siege to the office of the commissioner of health on Tuesday, demanding fixed wages and employment. The ASHA workers affiliated to the Centre for Indian Trade Unions were demanding fixed wages of Rs 18,000 per month, among others. Additionally, in case of deliveries, the workers have to be with the ladies at …

Asha workers demand resolution of issues in Andhra
4 months, 1 week ago

Asha workers demand resolution of issues in Andhra

New Indian Express  

VIJAYAWADA: Asha workers staged a protest under the auspices of the Andhra Pradesh Asha Workers Union affiliated to Centre of Indian Trade Unions, at Dharna Chowk following a statewide call to address their grievances. The protesters highlighted the need for Asha workers to be recognised as formal employees and provided adequate facilities. State Secretary Dhanalakshmi asserted the need for group …

Asha workers demand fair wages and benefits in protest against BMC
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Asha workers demand fair wages and benefits in protest against BMC

Hindustan Times  

Mumbai: Thousands of Asha workers gathered at Azad Maidan on Tuesday to protest the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s failure to raise their minimum wage to ₹18,000. Currently earning ₹12,000, these workers, crucial to public health, demand an increase in wages, as well as provisions for Provident Fund and pension upon retirement. Mumbai, India - June 11, 2024: Asha Workers and Community …

U.P. ASHA workers plan to boycott work over unmet demands
1 year, 1 month ago

U.P. ASHA workers plan to boycott work over unmet demands

Hindustan Times  

The office bearers of the Uttar Pradesh ASHA Bahu Kalyan Samiti, the body of Accredited Social Health Activist workers, have written a letter to the chief minister, demanding inclusion in a cadre that would grant them the status of ‘state employees.’ Earlier, the ASHA Workers staged a two-day protest in Lucknow “We don’t have a fixed income but receive honorarium …

Overworked, ASHA workers protest against extra online work
1 year, 5 months ago

Overworked, ASHA workers protest against extra online work

Hindustan Times  

Swarupa Mhase, an ASHA worker was informed at midnight about a 14-year-old pregnant girl in Bamanpada, a tribal area, experiencing excruciating pain. Thane, India - October,13, 2023: All Asha workers in Thane district for your various demands and get Diwali bonus, Alleging that the health authorities are oppressive Protest was held at Thane Kharkar ali ground in thane Asha workers …

ASHA workers to camp outside houses of Haryana Ministers for 24 hours
1 year, 5 months ago

ASHA workers to camp outside houses of Haryana Ministers for 24 hours

The Hindu  

Accredited Social Health Activist workers on Tuesday gave a call to camp outside the residences of Haryana Ministers for 24 hours on October 18 over the State government not addressing long-standing issues. Around 20,000 ASHA workers have been on strike since August 8 across Haryana to press for their demands, including a minimum monthly salary of ₹26,000, government employee status …

ASHA workers in distress across Jammu and Kashmir
3 years, 3 months ago

ASHA workers in distress across Jammu and Kashmir

The Hindu  

Raja Begum, 55, was not just a foot soldier of the National Health Mission in Kashmir. “Three ASHA workers have lost their lives from coronavirus in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding that the relatives of the dead had been compensated under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, an insurance scheme launched by the Central government. …

COVID: Cosmopolitan India Dedicates It’s Cover to ASHA Workers
3 years, 9 months ago

COVID: Cosmopolitan India Dedicates It’s Cover to ASHA Workers

The Quint  

The ASHA workers, the foot soldiers fighting the pandemic in India, have been working frantically on the rural frontline, multitasking even as the fear of infection remains high. In the magazine, India Today Editor Preeti Chaudhary who has been reporting on India’s crisis through her on-ground reports, authors a piece on the selfless acts carried out by ASHA workers. Bellow …

NHRC notice to Centre, states on 'poor working conditions' of ASHA workers
3 years, 10 months ago

NHRC notice to Centre, states on 'poor working conditions' of ASHA workers

India Today  

The NHRC has issued notices to the the Centre and the states over allegations of "poor working conditions" of ASHA workers in the rural areas across the country, the rights panel said on Monday. The National Human Rights Commission has observed that the allegations of "poor working conditions", if true, raise very crucial issues as the entire health management system …

Overworked, underpaid: Asha workers, the frontline warriors in rural UP's Covid battle | Ground Report
3 years, 10 months ago

Overworked, underpaid: Asha workers, the frontline warriors in rural UP's Covid battle | Ground Report

India Today  

Rural districts across India are witnessing a surge in Covid-19 cases and Uttar Pradesh, the country's most populous state, is no exception. Asha workers rise to the challenge, again At a time when Uttar Pradesh is struggling to contain the spread of infection in the state's rural districts, these Asha workers have risen to the job of guiding Covid-19 patients …

International Women’s Day: ASHA workers in Kerala talk about their battle against COVID-19
4 years ago

International Women’s Day: ASHA workers in Kerala talk about their battle against COVID-19

The Hindu  

On March 27, 2020, when the country was in lockdown, Saira Beegum went into labour. Since 2006, ASHA worker, a trained community of female health workers, has been acting as a link between the healthcare system and society at the grassroot level. Tasks assigned to the workers include creating awareness about nutrition, basic sanitation and hygienic practices, pre and post-natal …

ASHA Workers : Womxn Warriors Struggling For Survival
4 years, 6 months ago

ASHA Workers : Womxn Warriors Struggling For Survival

Live Law  

For the very first time, this 18 September, will be celebrated as the International Equal Pay Day, symbolizing the time immemorial efforts towards the achieving equal pay for equal work. At a policy level, the National Rural Health Mission was launched in 2005 to strengthen the decentralized health planning and management.The NRHM reflects the revived commitment of the government to …

‘Think about us’: India’s underpaid women health workers to gov’t
4 years, 7 months ago

‘Think about us’: India’s underpaid women health workers to gov’t

Al Jazeera  

Female government workers in rural areas go on strike to demand job recognition, better pay and proper protective gear. “This amounts to indignity or undignified labour … the returns to the society from their work will far outweigh the meagre economic cost in regularising them.” India’s health ministry has not officially responded to ASHA workers’ demands for a base salary …

Covid-19 and the heroic role of women health workers | Opinion
4 years, 7 months ago

Covid-19 and the heroic role of women health workers | Opinion

Hindustan Times  

Sunita Rani knows the meaning of hard work. Their demands: Better pay, health insurance and protective gear Then the coronavirus struck and “hard work” took on a whole new meaning. Their fears seemed to come true when an Asha worker in Kaithal tested positive and couldn’t get admitted in a hospital, “We aren’t even guaranteed health care in government facilities,” …

Bengaluru: Over 40,000 Asha workers on strike; demand increase in salary, better protective gear
4 years, 8 months ago

Bengaluru: Over 40,000 Asha workers on strike; demand increase in salary, better protective gear

India Today  

Along with doctors and nurses, the Accredited Social Health Activist workers numbering some 40,000 plus are frontline corona warriors. Some 40,000 plus ASHA workers are protesting demanding an increase in their monthly salary as well as better safety equipment while they risk their lives. D Nagalakshmi, State Secretary of ASHA Workers Union in Karnataka says that while all praise their …

At the forefront of India’s healthcare system, ASHA workers soldier on — unprotected and poorly paid
4 years, 8 months ago

At the forefront of India’s healthcare system, ASHA workers soldier on — unprotected and poorly paid

The Hindu  

If Anita Sharma*, an ASHA worker, had a Twitter account, she could have tagged @drharshvardhan, the health minister, and introduced herself thus: My name is Anita. At the forefront of India’s healthcare system, which is now creaking under the weight of the pandemic, are nine lakh ASHA workers like Anita who are soldiering on — unarmed, unprotected and poorly paid. …

42,000 Asha workers map 1.59 crore homes in Karnataka for coronavirus
4 years, 8 months ago

42,000 Asha workers map 1.59 crore homes in Karnataka for coronavirus

India TV News  

Karnataka's 42,000 Accredited Social Health Activists have surveyed 1.59 crore households as part of vulnerability mapping survey to check on high risk people amid the Covid pandemic, an official said on Friday. The health workers also visit the residences of people suffering from Influenza Like Illness and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection, including high risk individuals who reached out to the …

Three booked for attacking and threatening to kill ASHA worker in Mysuru
4 years, 11 months ago

Three booked for attacking and threatening to kill ASHA worker in Mysuru

Op India  

An ASHA worker in Mysuru, Sumayya Firdose, was allegedly attacked by three men, Mehaboob, Khaleel and Zeeshan, when she advised them to wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines. Attacks on ASHA workers ASHA workers, along with other healthcare professionals have been attacked numerous times amid the coronavirus outbreak. In Darbhanga, recently, Bihar DGP’s warnings fell on deaf ears …

ASHA worker attacked in UP for collecting information on coronavirus suspects
4 years, 11 months ago

ASHA worker attacked in UP for collecting information on coronavirus suspects

Op India  

In yet another attack on ASHA workers by violent residents, an ASHA worker was verbally abused and manhandled by 5 people in Takiya area Bhauri Ganj in UP on Monday after she had visited the village to collect information of the people who had recently returned to the village, reports ANI. But some others verbally abused me, tore my register …

9 Lakh ASHA Women Fight COVID-19, With Just Dupattas as Protection
4 years, 11 months ago

9 Lakh ASHA Women Fight COVID-19, With Just Dupattas as Protection

The Quint  

Julie Joseph had her task cut out. She would go to each of the 500 houses under her care in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor twice every week, check for symptoms and the travel history of the residents – all with just a dupatta as her protective gear. They are right in the frontline of the India’s fight against coronavirus pandemic but …

ASHA workers collecting health information attacked by a Muslim mob in Bengaluru
4 years, 11 months ago

ASHA workers collecting health information attacked by a Muslim mob in Bengaluru

Op India  

In a shocking incident, a nurse and ASHA workers have been attacked by Muslim residents in Bengaluru’s Sadiq layout for trying to carry out tests on suspected corona symptomatic patients and also for collecting information of fever and cough from the residents of the locality. According to the reports, the ASHA workers had visited Sadiq Layout near Tannisandra to collect …

Coronavirus Outbreak: Rural Maharashtra's ASHA workers toil despite lack of safety measures, limited pay
4 years, 11 months ago

Coronavirus Outbreak: Rural Maharashtra's ASHA workers toil despite lack of safety measures, limited pay

Firstpost  

Accredited Social Health Activist workers, the foot soldiers of rural healthcare in India, earn about Rs 3000 per month. She and four other ASHA workers in the Arjunwad village of Shirol taluka in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district have been given one single mask each as protective gear while they conduct their surveys. In a fit of anger, she says, “There’s no …

In tribal-dominated Palghar, ASHA workers say they are overburdened and underpaid despite rendering critical healthcare services
5 years, 5 months ago

In tribal-dominated Palghar, ASHA workers say they are overburdened and underpaid despite rendering critical healthcare services

Firstpost  

ASHA workers are the first port of call for any health related demands of the rural population, especially women and children Sadanand Khalle, 38, heaved a sigh of relief when — after three days of relentless persuasion — Sangita Hadad, an Accredited Social Health Activist worker from Savade village of Palghar district, agreed to escort his 9-month pregnant wife Monali …

Watch: ASHA worker falls off tower in Bhopal's Polytechnic Chauraha during strike to demand increase in wages
6 years, 5 months ago

Watch: ASHA worker falls off tower in Bhopal's Polytechnic Chauraha during strike to demand increase in wages

Firstpost  

Hundreds of ASHA workers gathered in Bhopal on Tuesday to demand regularisation of their pay, which took the administration by surprise. An ASHA worker fell off a wireless tower on Tuesday in Bhopal’s Polytechnic Chauraha during a protest to demand an increase in their wages, ANI reported. #WATCH: An ASHA worker falls off a wireless tower at Polytechnic Chauraha in …

Left out in the cold
12 years, 8 months ago

Left out in the cold

The Hindu  

ASHAs will continue to bear the burden of the government's rural health mission as a new order lists more incentive-based services. On May 31, a Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare order listed additional incentivised duties for accredited social health activists, or ASHAs, but was silent on the issue of regularisation of their employment. ASHAs, who bridge the gap …

Discover Related