The Story So Far
For over two months, many ASHA workers in Kerala have been protesting day and night.
They are demanding better pay and retirement benefits.
The protest has drawn attention across the State and was also mentioned in Parliament.
However, the government has not resolved their demands yet.
Why Are They Protesting?
Kerala ASHAs get a ₹7,000 monthly honorarium and ₹3,000 fixed incentives, with additional payments for working in special areas like tribal belts.
These payments depend on meeting certain work targets.
The State pays the honorarium; incentives are shared 60-40 between Centre and State.
The Health Minister claims most ASHAs earn ₹10,000–₹13,000/month, but workers say actual payments are lower due to strict conditions.
What Are the Long-Term Demands?
ASHAs earn less than ₹250 a day — lower than Kerala’s daily wage norms of ₹700–₹1,200.
They want:
Honorarium raised to ₹21,000/month (₹700/day)
₹5 lakh lump sum on retirement
ASHAs are still treated as “volunteers,” not regular workers.
They lack fixed salaries, pensions, or social security.
Workers argue that without changing their employment status, they’ll stay in vulnerable conditions.
What Is the State Saying?
The State says ASHAs fall under the Union government's scheme.
Only the Centre can reform the scheme and increase incentives or change employment status.
Kerala blames the Centre for not giving the ₹636 crore grant to the State’s National Health Mission for 2023–24.
The State has removed conditions tied to honorarium payments but hasn’t agreed to a hike or retirement benefits, citing financial stress.
The government is also unhappy with the protest being held in front of the Secretariat, accusing the leading union (KAHWA) of being politically motivated.
What Is the Current Position?
The Union Health Minister said incentives would be revised — but no timeline has been given.
Kerala offered to form a committee to study the issue.
KAHWA demanded a temporary ₹3,000/month hike (₹100/day), but this was rejected by the State.
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