Discussions with the minister also fail: ASHA workers to begin hunger strike today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ASHA workers will go on a hunger strike from today as the talks with the NHM Director and then the Health Minister have failed. Association General Secretary M.A. Bindu, ASHA workers Thankamani and Sheeja will go on a hunger strike in front of the secretariat from 11 am today.

Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association State Vice President S. Mini said that the government was not ready to give assurances on issues like increasing the honorarium and introducing pension benefits during the discussions. The discussions were held with NHM Director Vinay Goyal at the office of the National Health Mission Kerala unit yesterday afternoon. He said that the government does not have money and should be given time. The demand to increase the honorarium was not discussed.

The Health Minister called for a discussion while the returning protesters were raising slogans and holding a protest march. The discussion took place in the minister's cabin in the assembly. The minister asked the protestors to look at things realistically and to disperse. The protesters did not give in. The protesters alleged that this was just a discussion to throw dust in their eyes in the context of the hunger strike. The protesters continued the demonstration even after the discussion with the minister failed.

Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association President V.K. Sadanandan, Vice President S. Mini, State Committee members K.P. Rosamma, S. Shalini, Beena Peter, Raji, P. Shanthamma, and R. Sheeja participated in the discussion.