The Kerala Health Workers Association ASHA (KAHWA) has expressed its strong protest against the Union Budget, which it says has completely ignored the demands of millions of scheme workers, including Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), across the country.
In its statement on Monday, KAHWA slammed both the Center and various state governments for failing to ensure fair wages for ASHAs, who have worked hard as frontline health workers to promote public health. ASHAs, who are frontline champions of the public health system and who play a key role in protecting and promoting community health, continue to face severe exploitation across the country. KAHWA pointed out that ASHAs are agitating across the country demanding decent wages and redressal of their long pending grievances.
In Kerala, the 266-day ASHA strike led by KAHWA succeeded in drawing national attention to ASHA’s poor pay and working conditions. They said the strike played a decisive role in bringing ASHA’s grievances to the fore and gaining widespread public opinion in favor of these workers. It is therefore very disappointing that despite the widespread public support that ASHAs have received and strong demands from various quarters to end the exploitation of these ‘voluntary’ women workers who are paid meager wages and incentives, the Union Budget is absolutely silent on their welfare and livelihood concerns, KAHWA said.
She pointed out that many years ago the Indian Labor Conference (ILC) had passed a resolution recommending that ASHAs be recognized as regular workers and be given statutory wages and other service benefits.
The current Union budget has not addressed the most fundamental problems of the nearly one million women working in the system.
KAHWA called on system workers to unite nationally and organize intense protests to secure decent wages, dignity and job security. She called on all organizations working in the sector, including central and state unions, to come together and give strength to ASHA’s continued struggle.
Published – 02 Feb 2026 21:36 IST