Bihar Government Must Initiate Negotiations with Striking ASHA Workers

CPIML Bihar State Secretary Kunal has demanded from the Mahagathbandhan government of Bihar to start negotiations with the ASHA workers who are on an indefinite statewide strike for the last 11 days. The party has condemned the intimidatory and repressive tactics of the state administration with respect to the striking ASHA workers.

More than 90,000 ASHAs and ASHA Facilitators have been on strike since 12 July for a 9 point charter that includes mostly long pending demands of implementation of earlier agreements made by the state government.

The ASHAs not recognised as employees or workers toil hard at the grassroots constitute a very crucial component of the country's dilapidated health infrastructure. They are being paid a monthly ‘honorarium’, in place of the wages, in a very meagre amount which is highly inadequate to even maintain anybody’s daily needs. A couple of years ago the state government had agreed to increase this amount, but later a hike of Rs. 1000 was made and categorised as ‘reward’ which was considered humiliating. Moreover, this amount is too insufficient to even cover the daily conveyances of these workers.

The ASHAs’ role during the Covid-19 pandemic was hailed worldwide but they continue to work without any legal rights as workers or employees.

The Nitish government is facing criticism for not even starting to negotiate with striking ASHAs while the basic health services in the state have come to a standstill.