UDF stages walkout in Kerala Assembly over ASHA workers’ protest, accuses govt of neglect

Minister for Excise and Local Self-Government M.B. Rajesh, who spoke on behalf of CM, says talks with ASHAs failed because of ‘stubborn attitude’ of protest leaders who appeared to be ‘politically motivated’

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) staged a walkout in the Kerala Assembly on Friday (March 21) accusing the State government of ignoring the “just demands” of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), who have been on a 39-day agitation in front of the Secretariat for fair remuneration.

Earlier, moving a submission on the issue, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had responded positively when he had raised the issue a couple of days ago, with Health Minister Veena George entering into talks with the protesters.

“Unfortunately, the talks failed. The government should continue the talks and arrive at a lasting solution. Supporting the protesters, the UDF has been demanding the State government to increase the honorarium as well as the Union government to increase the incentives. The UDF MPs have also been raising the issue in Parliament,” he said.

Responding to the submission, Minister for Excise and Local Self-Government M.B. Rajesh, who spoke on behalf of the Chief Minister, said the talks failed because of the “stubborn attitude” of the protest leaders, who appeared to be “politically motivated” in not wanting the protest to end quickly and in supporting the Union government’s narrative. He said the Left Democratic Front (LDF) has always taken a “supportive” stand with the ASHAs.

“When the LDF came to power in 2016, the ASHAs were drawing an honorarium of ₹1,000, which was increased gradually over the years to ₹7,000 now. Out of the remaining fixed incentive of ₹3,000, the Union government is providing ₹1,800, while the State government is providing ₹1,200. However, the State government is now paying the Centre’s share too, as funds for several months are pending. In addition, a performance-based incentive of ₹3,200 is being provided. In such a context, the first demand of the protesters should have been to the Union government to raise the meagre incentives. However, the protesters have been pointing fingers only at the State government. The Union government falsely claimed in Parliament that Kerala is providing only an honorarium of ₹6,000, when it is providing ₹7,000,” he said.

Mr. Rajesh said that none of the Central trade unions, including the Congress-affiliated Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), are supportive of the ongoing protest by ASHAs.

“All the trade unions have been demanding that the Union government change the basic criteria of ASHA being a woman volunteer to a permanent worker. This would ensure them minimum wages, pension, ESI, provident fund and gratuity. The State government has also raised the same demand. However, the Union government is not ready to take any action or give any commitment to raise the incentives. Despite this, the protesters have not raised a voice of protest against the Centre, he said.

Published - March 21, 2025 12:34 pm IST