Asha workers intensify strike by tonsuring heads in front of secretariat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ASHA workers have intensified their strike by tonsuring their heads in front of the Secretariat. They are protesting by tonsuring their heads because the government has not taken any positive action as the day and night strike that began demanding an increase in honorarium has entered its 50th day.

Several including leaders and activists of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association, have joined the hair-cutting protest. The ASHA workers informed that the strike will continue. Hundreds of ASHA workers are protesting by raising slogans like 'now we are tonsuring our heads, let the government cut our heads'. The leader of the protest committee, S Mini, said that this kind of strike is to open the eyes of the authorities. As part of the protest, they first let loose their hair and protested. Later, they cut their hair in protest. Many were in tears at the protest site.

Meanwhile, the hunger strike has entered its eleventh day. S S Anitha Kumari of Palode FHC, Beena Peter of Puthenthope CHC and S B Raji of Vattiyoorkavu FHC are presently on hunger strike. They are going through emotional moments of the struggle and the public should judge whether they should also endure it, said S Mini, state vice president of the ASHA Health Workers Association. She accused the chief minister, who is warning people to be careful as there is a possibility of a heat wave, of not being concerned about the health of ASHAs.