CITU-affiliated ASHA workers say stir unnecessary

Kozhikode: ASHA Workers Federation, affiliated to CITU, opposed the ongoing Secretariat stir by a section of ASHA workers and termed it unnecessary. State general secretary of ASHA Workers Federation (CITU) PP Prema said of the 26,117 ASHA workers in Kerala, 20,355 are affiliated to CITU.
She alleged that the protest by a group of ASHA workers, who were not seen in any other protests, will not be beneficial. She said authorities are aware of the difficulties faced by ASHA workers.
"State is unable to increase their honorarium due to the financial crisis caused by non-receipt of funds from the Centre," she said, adding that the LDF 1.0 govt had increased the honorarium of ASHA workers.
Prema said Centre needs to recognize them as workers and therefore the protest in front of the Secretariat should be held in Delhi. She said ASHA Workers Federation will hold a protest before the Parliament on Feb 28 raising demands. They want the Centre to recognize ASHA workers as employees and ensure social security for these workers.
She said protests will also be organized in front of GST offices in district centres on that day. Federation leaders C Sunitha, T Sunitha and Sheeja also participated in the news conference on Tuesday.