THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has rejected the protest by the Asha workers that has been happeing in front of the secretariat for the past 40 days. Minister MB Rajesh said in the assembly that the discussion failed due to the stubbornness and coercion of the protesters. Rajesh was responding on behalf of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The opposition walked out of the assembly, accusing the government of taking an approach that disparages a rightful protest.

Presenting a submission, Opposition Leader VD Satheesan said that a compromise must be reached by the Centre increasing the incentive and the state increasing the honorarium. "The government is mocking and belittling the protestors and is taking a negative stance by saying that there is no one to support the protest. A fair solution should be found," he demanded.

The ruling party members tried to disrupt the walkout speech. When the Speaker invited K Babu for the next submission, the opposition led by Chandy Oommen, Rahul Mamkootathil and Mathew Kuzhalnadan rushed to the center. The ruling party members also stood up and made a ruckus. The Speaker worked hard to calm the scene. Satheesan accused that by creating a ruckus, 99 people of the ruling party is not allowing the opposition leader to speak for even two minutes.

Only 1.34% ASHAs are striking: Minister Rajesh

Minister Rajesh said that the ASHA's strike is politically motivated and the intention is to prolong the strike by reiterating the demands that have been resolved. "There is no real demand to make ASHAs health workers. This is a strike to help the Centre. Out of 26,000 ASHAs, only 354 are on strike. This is only 1.34%. If the strikers give up their stubbornness, there will be a solution. Otherwise, no matter what anyone thinks, there will be no solution. Not a single trade union supports the strike.

What can be accepted, including unconditional honorarium, has been accepted. Only if ASHAs are changed from volunteers to health workers will they get minimum wage, pension, PF, ESI and gratuity. The Centre has betrayed the ASHAs. Out of the guaranteed honorarium of Rs. 10,000, the state is paying 8,200 and the centre is paying 1,800. Yet the strike is against the state. The government has a sympathetic stance towards ASHAs."