ASHA workers across the state have been on continuous strike since December 23. They are staging protests in various districts with multiple demands. On Friday too, they demonstrated by blocking roads in several districts. From North 24 Parganas to Howrah, and from Bankura to Bardhaman, vehicular movement was disrupted due to protests in district after district.
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What are the ASHA workers' demands?
One of the primary demands of ASHA workers is an increase in monthly allowance. Currently, ASHA workers receive a monthly allowance of 5,250 rupees. Despite having an enormous workload, the allowance has not been increased for a long time. They demand an immediate increase in monthly allowance. Besides this, ASHA workers receive an incentive allowance. The complaint is that this is not being paid regularly at present. In some places it has been stopped for four months, in others for five months. A demand has also been made to clear these pending allowances.
The state government recently announced providing mobile phones to ASHA workers. ASHA workers have faced problems with this as well. Their claim is that although a specific amount of money has been given to buy mobile phones, several conditions have been imposed on it, which ASHA workers are unwilling to accept. Besides this, a section of ASHA workers have launched a movement demanding maternity leave for ASHA workers and a one-time financial assistance of five lakh rupees to the family if any ASHA worker dies.
District-wise protests
On Friday morning, protests were held by surrounding the Chief Medical Officer's office in Howrah. About three and a half thousand ASHA workers gathered under the Howrah Maidan flyover and marched from there to appear in front of the Howrah CMOH office on Church Road. This program was organized by the West Bengal ASHA Workers Union under the AIUTUC organization.
In North 24 Parganas district, ASHA workers staged protests in front of the gate at Barasat Medical College Hospital. Due to this protest, the main gate of Barasat Hospital remained blocked for a long time. As a result, patients coming for treatment at the hospital and patients' families faced extreme harassment. Several ambulances were also stuck. However, the protesters claim they did not stop any ambulance.
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On this day, ASHA workers working in Bankura district erupted in fierce protests by surrounding the Chief Medical Officer's office in Bankura district. A procession was also organized in Bankura town today in support of their demands. ASHA workers from the district joined the GT Road blockade at Curzon Gate square in the heart of Bardhaman town. Due to this, vehicular movement was disrupted for quite some time.
ASHA worker Mita Sen said, "We have been on strike for four days. We have multiple demands including increase in monthly allowance and maternity leave. We have repeatedly submitted deputations to higher authorities. Even then there has been no solution. That is why we have been forced to take to the path of agitation. If our demands are not met, this movement will continue."
