The Association of Health Staff Keral ASHA (Kahwa), welcomed the decision of the National Health Mission to slightly increase incentives and pension benefits for accredited social health activists (Ashas), demanding that the state government of their promise.
In his statement, Kahwa reminded the state government about his promise to increase the ashas honorary if the Union’s government was ready to go to the incentives paid for them.
The strike of the ASHA sections in the state, requiring a hike in the honor and a package for a better salary, exceeded 170 days.
Gained national attention
It was the disturbance of Ashas in Kerala, which brought national attention to “exploitation” faced by this category of healthcare workers and their bad conditions of remuneration and services, which promoted it to a significant working movement.
Ashas, who agitated in front of the secretariat since 10 February, were looking for a trip in a fee paid by the state, along with pension and pension benefits. Their strike made national subtitles and their requirements were in both houses of parliament, thanks to the public support of the requirements they made.
Kahwa said that their agitation had received extensive support because their requirements were fair. He said it was an intensive public control that forced the center to announce an increase – although it was nominal – in Ashas incentives.
Kahwa said it clearly communicated to the leaders of the national parties who visited them at the point of agitation that it was on the state government to increase the honorary, while the hike in the incentives must be carried out by the center. Center did not create incentives for Ashas in ten or more years
He stated that the main minister and other higher officials said several times that they would increase the honorary if the center were incentive. The center has now announced a trip in pension benefits from 20,000 to 50,000 GBP. The state government should take the allusion from the government of West Bengal and Ashas to provide a pension advantage of 5 Lakh. It should also stop lowering the fixed incentives provided by Ashas by attaching new capability criteria, Kahwa said.
She also called on the authorities to immediately make a decision of the central NHM.
Published – 28th July 2025 20:55
