Records will reveal the truth

The ASHA workers in the state have been protesting in front of the Secretariat for the past month, demanding a salary increase. Even though the government has always been supportive of labour strikes, it is unclear why it has completely turned its back on the concerns of the ASHA workers from the very beginning. Even global conflicts, including world wars, have ended through negotiations and talks, and complex issues like the Palestine and Gaza conflicts have been resolved through continuous dialogue. Here, a group of humble ASHA workers has not put forward any major demands before the government. They are simply asking for a salary increase as they find it difficult to survive with the current wages they are receiving.

While the requests of ASHA workers are being callously dismissed, it’s important to note that, during this very protest, measures have been taken to increase the salaries of high-ranking officials, earning between three to four lakh rupees, by one to one and a half lakh rupees without any difficulty. The salaries of ASHA workers are provided using financial assistance from the central government as well, and the state claims that any increase can only happen if the central government provides more funds. However, the state is unwilling to contribute even a single rupee from its own resources. The government’s harsh stance against the workers may be influenced by the support the protest is receiving from mass movements and opposition parties. From the start, the government has taken an uncompromising position. Even individuals who have risen to positions of power through labour movements are seen belittling ASHA workers in an effort to demoralize them.

Have the leaders ever considered what wrong these workers have done to deserve such disrespect? The resistance to the strike is certainly not a proud moment for the leaders. Recently, the issue of the ASHA workers’ wages was discussed in both the Kerala Legislative Assembly and the Lok Sabha in Delhi. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda stated that the central government does not owe Kerala anything regarding the wages of ASHA workers. He also accused the state of not providing the required utility certificate for the funds allocated and added that further assistance would be given once the certificate is submitted. However, Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George refuted this claim.

The state government clarified that no central assistance has been received for the 2023-24 period and mentioned that two letters had been sent to the Centre about this. These letters were presented as evidence in the Assembly.

The debate over whether or not the central government has provided assistance should not be a point of contention. There will be records of the funds sent by the Centre and received by the state. Checking these records will easily clarify who is telling the truth. Regardless, this ongoing hide-and-seek game should come to an end. Such actions only deceive the public. The central government has already made it clear that ASHA workers' salaries should be increased. This should be implemented immediately, and the strike should be ended. ASHA workers are working without even the basic income to survive, which is a national shame. If those who speak about women’s empowerment and strength had acted sincerely, the ASHA workers' strike would have been resolved long ago.