SRINAGAR, October 24: Calling ASHA workers the backbone of the health department in rural areas, Senior CPI(M) leader Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami asked the Government to fullfill the assurances of ASHA workers at earlies
“These workers are compelled to work for paltry emoluments. The government has totally neglected them. They have been fighting for better remuneration for many years but to no avail, thus compelling them to resort to strikes and dharnas,” Tarigami said in a statement.
He also said that union leaders apprised senior officers of the NHM about their long-pending legitimate demands, and these officers assured them that their demands for an enhancement of incentives would be recommended to the Union Health Ministry.
“They also assured them about an increase of Rs. 1000 in their assured incentive, as well as an increase in the uniform allowance up to Rs. 3200 and Rs. 150 for desk duty,” he said and added that with these assurances, the ASHA workers’ union suspended their protests for the time being.
“It is learned that the Health Department submitted these proposals to the Union Health Ministry, and the government has, in principle, agreed. As such, it is expected that the assurances will be implemented from the next financial year,” he said.
These employees and workers have to feed their families and are working hard, but they are not paid their wages on time, he added.
