Kerala's ASHA Workers Celebrate Honorarium Hike Amidst Persistent Advocacy

ASHA workers in Kerala expressed their gratitude to the government for a recent Rs 3,000 wage increase decided in the first Cabinet meeting. M A Bindu of KAHWA, which led prior protests, acknowledged the honorarium raise but noted that workers still hope for a future increase to Rs 21,000.

In a significant move, the Kerala government announced an increase of Rs 3,000 in the honorarium for ASHA workers, a decision welcomed by the workers who have been agitating for better wages and retirement benefits. The announcement followed the new government's first Cabinet meeting.

M A Bindu, general secretary of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association, expressed gratitude towards Chief Minister V D Satheesan for fulfilling his promise of improving ASHA workers' wages. Bindu emphasized the need for the government to listen and respond to the people's demands, highlighting the importance of this wage hike.

Despite the increment, ASHA workers continue to advocate for a higher honorarium, targeting Rs 21,000, and hope for future modifications under the UDF government. The recent increase brings their total honorarium to Rs 12,000, reflecting ongoing efforts to secure better financial and retirement terms for these essential health activists.