ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activists) workers are community health volunteers operating under the National Health Mission (NHM). They serve as the primary point of contact for healthcare services in rural and underserved regions, promoting awareness and facilitating maternal and child healthcare, immunization, and disease prevention efforts.
In Kerala, ASHA workers are protesting to demand increased honorariums, timely payments, and retirement benefits. Currently, they earn a low and irregular daily wage of ₹233. Their demands include a substantial increase in their honorarium from ₹7,000 to ₹21,000 and retirement benefits amounting to ₹5 lakh.
The NHM regards ASHA workers as volunteers rather than employees, which leaves them ineligible for fixed salaries. Instead, their earnings are based on task-oriented incentives, such as maintaining health records or attending clinics, with each task valued at ₹700.
ASHA workers are selected through a process that involves gram panchayats, community groups, and self-help organizations. Preference is often given to women aged 25-45, particularly those who are married, widowed, or divorced.
As of the 2022-23 period, India boasts approximately 9.2 lakh ASHA workers, with around 79,900 of them situated in Kerala alone.
Payments to ASHA workers are linked to task completion rather than being part of a fixed salary structure. In programs such as the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, delays in payments frequently occur due to fund shortages or administrative challenges.
The ongoing protests underscore the pressing need for fair wages, timely payments, and the recognition of ASHA workers as vital components of the healthcare system rather than mere volunteers. Addressing these concerns is crucial for reinforcing India’s primary healthcare infrastructure.
“A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.”
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