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Kerala ASHA Workers Begin Hunger Strike Over Pay and Benefits

The month-long protests escalate as talks with the state government fail, while funding disputes between Kerala and the central government remain unresolved.

Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan, centre, and other UDF MLAs take part in a protest march in support of ASHA workers protesting against the Kerala government since February 10, demanding post-retirement benefits and a hike in their honorarium, in Thiruvananthapuram, on Thursday. (PTI)
Health minister Veena George told reporters after the meeting that she would meet her Union counterpart JP Nadda in Delhi in connection with the demands of the ASHAs. (PTI)
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Overview

  • ASHA workers in Kerala are demanding a pay increase from ₹7,000 to ₹21,000 per month and a retirement benefit of ₹5 lakh.
  • The workers began an indefinite hunger strike on March 20 after negotiations with the state government failed to meet their demands.
  • Kerala Health Minister Veena George has traveled to Delhi to discuss the issue with Union Health Minister JP Nadda.
  • The Kerala government cites financial constraints and disputes over National Health Mission funds with the central government as obstacles to meeting the demands.
  • The central government has announced plans to raise ASHA incentives but claims Kerala has not submitted the required documentation for funding disbursement.