The one-day state committee meeting of the Uttarakhand ASHA Health Workers Union, affiliated to AICCTU, was held on December 28 at the Municipal Corporation Auditorium, Haldwani. The meeting began with paying tribute to veteran trade union leader and former national vice-president of AICCTU, Comrade Raja Bahuguna, with a minute’s silence.
Addressing the meeting as the chief speaker, Comrade Shashi Yadav, National General Secretary of the Scheme Workers Federation and MLC of the Bihar Legislative Council, said that the Modi government’s claims of women empowerment are completely false. She stated that ASHA workers, who are considered the backbone of the public health system, are still denied even a minimum wage. When the nature of work is the same across the country, she asked, why is there no uniform honorarium for ASHAs.
Comrade Shashi Yadav said that the role of ASHA workers during the COVID-19 pandemic was acknowledged across the world, as they risked their lives to save people. Despite this, the government is unwilling to provide them their rightful wages, job security and dignity. She accused the government of openly exploiting ASHA workers within its own health system.
She further warned that the four new labour codes will have a negative impact on ASHA workers, as these laws will curtail workers’ rights, including the right to form unions and the right to strike. She called upon women workers to unite on a common platform against these anti-worker policies.
Highlighting the rising incidents of violence against women, Comrade Shashi Yadav said that ASHA workers must raise their voices not only on their own demands but also against growing atrocities on women. She demanded a CBI inquiry into the Ankita murder case, calling it an important issue in the struggle for justice for women.
AICCTU state general secretary K K Bora said that the nationwide general strike against the labour codes will be held on February 12, in which women workers, including ASHAs and other scheme workers, will participate along with the working class across the country.
The meeting also expressed solidarity with the ongoing indefinite ASHA workers’ movement in Uttar Pradesh. It was unanimously decided that if demands for regularisation, proper wages and recognition as employees are not met, ASHA workers will stage a sit-in in Dehradun during the assembly session. Prior to this, statewide conventions will be organised to strengthen the organisation.
