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.

• 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.

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