Kerala ASHA Workers’ Escalating Agitation Highlights Disparities In Healthcare Remuneration | X – @vaibhavank
It is unfortunate that the month-long agitation of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in Kerala is escalating rather than concluding. These women, the backbone of India’s rural healthcare system, find themselves forced onto the streets in protest, their demands falling on deaf ears.
The recent discussions with Health Minister Veena George have failed to break the deadlock, leaving the ASHAs with no choice but to intensify their struggle. For those unfamiliar, ASHA workers serve as a vital link between the public health system and rural communities.
They promote health awareness, ensure access to medical facilities, and advocate for preventive care. Every village in India has at least one ASHA worker, making them indispensable to the country’s healthcare framework. Yet, despite their crucial role, their compensation remains abysmally low.
The Kerala government argues that the state’s financial condition is dire, making it difficult to meet the ASHAs’ demands. However, the protesting women dismiss this justification, pointing to recent decisions that reveal the government’s ability to allocate funds when it chooses.
For instance, members of the Kerala Public Service Commission recently received a substantial salary hike, one that surpasses what even the UPSC members receive. Additionally, the remuneration of a retired Congress politician tasked with representing Kerala’s interests in Delhi was increased significantly, raising eyebrows across the state.
These instances expose the government’s selective austerity measures, where some benefit generously while frontline health workers are left in financial distress. The ASHAs’ demands are hardly unreasonable.
In a state where unskilled labourers earn a minimum of ₹1,000 per day, these women receive only ₹7,000 per month, supplemented by a mere ₹3,000 in allowances. They are demanding a salary of at least ₹21,000 and a retirement benefit of ₹5 lakh. Given the cost of living in Kerala, their demands are justified.
The state government claims that Kerala pays the highest remuneration for ASHA workers. However, the workers themselves dispute this, pointing out that several states provide better compensation. Moreover, the payments they receive are tied to stringent conditions, making it difficult to even secure the paltry sum they are entitled to.
Adding to their frustration is the glaring disparity in how funds are allocated. Ministers in Kerala are entitled to personal staff of up to 24 people, each of whom qualifies for a lifelong pension after serving just two years.
The Centre has failed to establish clear guidelines on ASHA remuneration, leaving their pay structure to the discretion of the states. Given the variations in living costs across India, there must be a standardised approach that ensures ASHAs earn a dignified wage. Kerala’s exemplary healthcare system owes much to these women. Their demands must be met, not out of charity, but out of justice.
