ASHAs to take out protest march from Kasaragod to T’puram

Thiruvananthapuram: Protesting ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) will intensify their agitation by launching a statewide protest march, beginning in Kasaragod on May 5 and concluding here on June 17. Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association (KAHWA) said on Monday the decision to launch the protest march was taken as the govt had not shown any willingness to resolve its 71-day strike demanding a hike in honorarium and retirement benefits.
KAHWA state general secretary M A Bindu will lead the march. Its flag-off will coincide with the May Day rally to be organised in front of the Secretariat on May 1. Association leaders said the 45-day march would be an unprecedented event in the women's labour movement in the state. ASHAs will travel through each district for two-three days, sleeping on the streets at night, similar to the ongoing sit-in in front of the Secretariat, they said.
The ASHAs' decision came against the backdrop of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurating the fourth anniversary celebrations of his govt in Kasaragod on Monday. The govt's decision to allocate Rs 25.91 crore for a state-wide publicity campaign to mark the anniversary, even while it refuses to accept the striking ASHAs' demand citing financial crunch, has invited criticism.
"We are confident that the public will support this protest march. Prominent personalities will participate in reception meetings in various cities across all 14 districts. After 45 days on the road, the march will reach the Secretariat on June 17, when ASHAs from across the state will join it," one of the KAHWA leaders said.
"Despite 71 days of round-the-clock protest and 33 days of indefinite hunger strike in front of the Secretariat, demanding an increase in honorarium to live without hunger and retirement benefits, the govt has not relented and is displaying an unprecedented anti-democratic attitude towards these poorest female workers," the leader said.
The protesting ASHAs said their strike had won public support both within and outside the state. "People have supported our demands, but the govt remains unwilling to address even our minimal requests. Its arrogant and narrow-minded response to our protest is a challenge to the democratic framework. We have decided to extend the protest across the state in the context of the support from the civil society, especially social and cultural activists," an association leader said.
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