Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 22 (NationPress) A group of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers in Kerala, who have been protesting for the past 256 days for increased honorariums and post-retirement benefits, intensified their demonstrations on Wednesday by marching to Cliff House, the official residence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The timing of the march coincided with President Droupadi Murmu's four-day state visit.

Recently, the ASHA workers had presented their grievances to President Murmu through a formal representation.

Under the leadership of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association (KAHWA), the workers have been conducting a sit-in outside the state secretariat since the commencement of their protest earlier this year. However, on Wednesday, hundreds of demonstrators breached multiple police barricades and faced water cannons while attempting to access the Chief Minister’s residence.

The protestors raised slogans accusing the Left government of neglecting their long-standing demands. Their primary requests include an increase in the state-paid honorarium from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000 per month and a post-retirement benefit of Rs 5 lakh.

“ASHA workers are the backbone of the primary health system, yet we continue to be treated like daily wage workers,” remarked one of the protestors.

This agitation persists despite a state government-appointed committee suggesting a modest honorarium increase of Rs 3,000 and a post-retirement benefit of Rs one lakh in August, which falls significantly short of the workers’ demands. The issue also connects with initiatives from the Central government.

In the evening, the protesters intensified their actions outside Cliff House, claiming that a scuffle occurred when police attempted to confiscate their microphone.

Frustrated ASHA workers resisted, resulting in several protesters being forcibly removed by police.

“Many of us have been taken away in police vehicles. We will not be intimidated by their actions. Tomorrow, we plan to declare a total protest day in response to how police targeted us today. I was assaulted by a female police officer,” shared an ASHA worker.

In July, the Centre announced an increase in the fixed monthly incentive for ASHA workers. During the 9th Mission Steering Group (MSG) meeting, it approved a rise from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500 and proposed enhanced retirement benefits.

Nevertheless, the protesting workers argue that these measures are insufficient. They highlight that rising living costs and their work, which entails delivering door-to-door healthcare, maternal care, and community-level disease prevention, necessitate fair wages and social security.

As the protest enters its ninth month, there is increasing pressure on the state government to negotiate a resolution as local body elections approach and assembly elections are scheduled for early next year.