₹1,000 increase “not respectable”, Asha workers protest outside Swasthya Bhavan

Despite the state budget announcing a ₹1,000 increase in allowance, 180 days of maternity leave and compensation for families of Asha workers who die on duty, protests erupted at Swasthya Bhavan on Friday. Asha workers gathered to submit a memorandum, expressing strong dissatisfaction with the government’s decisions.

Ismat Ara Khatun, state general secretary of the West Bengal Asha Workers Union, said the demands of Asha workers were being ignored. She stated that asking for a monthly allowance of ₹15,000 was reasonable and described the ₹1,000 hike as meaningless, adding that it failed to ensure dignity for frontline health workers.

She also said the maternity leave provision was achieved through sustained protests by Asha workers and not a voluntary government initiative. According to her, the latest budget announcements did not address the core issues faced by workers on the ground.

Tension escalated when police clashed with protesting Asha workers outside Swasthya Bhavan. Protests were also reported from Howrah, where Asha workers demonstrated in solidarity, demanding a substantial increase in honorarium and better working conditions.