Bihar State ASHA Workers Union Holds State-Level Meeting
The Bihar State ASHA Workers Union (Gope Group-AICCTU) held a state-level meeting on September 19, 2024 at the union's office in Punaichak Atal Path, Patna.The meeting addressed pressing issues concerning ASHA workers and reached crucial decisions aimed at spearheading the movement for their rights and demands. It was decided that ASHA workers will carry out the upcoming Plus Polio campaign while wearing black armbands to protest against the non-implementation of the Rs. 2500 monthly honorarium. A decision was made to stage a protest at all district collectors' offices in November demanding the implementation of the increased honorarium.
The meeting came in backdrop of the August 2023 strike, in which the government, through a written agreement had promised to increase the monthly honorarium for ASHA workers from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 250). However, this agreement has remained unimplemented for over a year, leading to growing anger among the workers.
CPIML MLC and ASHA workers union leader Comrade Shashi Yadav said that the Nitish government is violating the rights of ASHA workers and failing to uphold the written agreement. She characterised the government's inaction as detrimental to the empowerment of working women in the state.
To force the Nitish government to fulfil its promise, the ASHA workers meeting resolved to intensify the struggle. A district conference is scheduled for December 2024 to strengthen the union’s collective action plan.
Union leaders, including Comrade Rambali Prasad and Ranvijay Kumar, condemning the Nitish-BJP government for its "dictatorial" approach and warned that it would face consequences in the 2025 elections if it continued to ignore the needs of ASHA workers and other community health workers.
The meeting concluded with a call for unity among ASHA workers to strengthen the union at the grassroots level, encouraging more individuals to join and support the collective fight for their rights.
The meeting was attended by numerous leaders from the ASHA Workers Union, including Treasurer Kavita Kumari, General Secretary Vidyavati Pandey, and other prominent members who voiced their support for the ongoing struggle.
