Govt accepts one more demand of ASHA workers; norms for giving honorarium withdrawn

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With blockading the Secretariat, the government has issued an order accepting one more demand of ASHA workers. The government issued the order withdrawing ten criteria set for ASHAs to receive honorarium. Health Minister Veena George had informed the assembly the other day the decision to withdraw the criteria.

Along with demands such as to increase the honorarium and provide retirement benefits, the protesters had also demanded the withdrawal of the norms. The ASHAs complained that only a meager honorarium was being received due to the complicated criteria. The workers said that the government's decision is a victory for the protest. However, they made it clear that they will not end the protest without increasing the honorarium.

The secretariat blockade will continue till 6 pm today and the government's move to withdraw the criteria for providing honorarium is being welcomed, said protests committee leader Bindu. Bindu said the strike will not end until a decision is taken on important demands such as a rise in honorarium and pension and will also seek other methods of protests.