Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers across Haryana have announced a statewide protest, raising concerns over pending payments, inadequate honorarium and long-pending demands related to job security and social benefits. The workers, who form a crucial link between communities and the public healthcare system, have expressed dissatisfaction over what they describe as continued neglect of their issues.
The ASHA Workers Union has stated that thousands of workers are expected to participate in the agitation across districts. Their major demands include the release of pending dues, an increase in monthly honorarium, implementation of social security benefits, and recognition of ASHA workers as permanent employees.
Union representatives said that ASHA workers have been handling increasing responsibilities, including health surveys, maternal and child healthcare services, vaccination support and digital reporting work, but their remuneration has not increased in proportion to their workload. Workers have also raised concerns about inadequate resources for field duties and delays in fulfilling earlier assurances.
The latest announcement comes amid a long-running movement by ASHA workers in Haryana. Earlier protests had also focused on demands such as higher honorarium, retirement benefits, minimum wage recognition and improved working conditions.
ASHA workers play a key role in India’s grassroots healthcare system by connecting rural communities with government health programmes. The protesters have urged the state government to intervene and resolve their issues to avoid disruption of essential health services.
Key demands of ASHA workers:
- Increase in monthly honorarium
- Clearance of pending payments
- Permanent employee status
- Social security benefits including retirement support
- Better facilities and resources for field-level work
The state government has yet to announce a fresh resolution to the workers’ demands, while ASHA unions have indicated that the protest movement will continue until their concerns are addressed.
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