Hundreds of ASHA workers gathered at Budh Park in Haldwani, Uttarakhand on May 19, to demand long-overdue recognition, fair wages, pension benefits, and occupational dignity. The demonstration, organised by the Uttarakhand ASHA Health Workers Union (affiliated to AICCTU), was observed as a statewide "Protest Day." The protest drew support from midday meal workers from the Pragatisheel Bhojanmata Sangathan and various civil society groups, marking a unified call for justice for grassroots health and nutrition workers.
Speaking at the gathering, Dr. Kailash Pandey, State Secretary of the Union, said, "ASHA workers are the foundation of India’s rural healthcare system, yet they are denied even basic rights. During the COVID pandemic, they were called ‘Corona warriors’, but applause does not pay bills. We want wages, not slogans."
Rinki Joshi, Haldwani Block President of the Union, condemned the state’s approach: "ASHAs are expected to take on multiple duties — immunisation, maternal health, surveys — without stable income or respect. This is institutional exploitation."
Meena Matiyani, another senior leader, reminded the crowd of the Chief Minister’s unfulfilled 2021 announcement. "We were promised Rs. 11,500 monthly. Three years have passed, and the promise remains on paper. How long can we survive on words?"
Midday meal worker representative Rajni Joshi added that their struggle is part of a broader demand for justice for all scheme workers, calling for permanent jobs, wage security, and retirement benefits.
Following the protest, the union submitted an eight-point charter of demands to the Chief Minister’s office. Their central appeals include:
Immediate implementation of a monthly honorarium of Rs. 11,500 as proposed in 2021.
Formal recognition of ASHAs as government employees, with all corresponding labour rights.
Inclusion in pension and social security schemes.
Rs. 10 lakh lump-sum retirement benefit for ASHAs until pension is guaranteed.
Monthly disbursal of wages and arrears.
Training stipends of Rs. 500 per day.
Orders to ensure respectful treatment of ASHAs at healthcare institutions.
Creation of ASHA rest centres at hospitals.
The protest also called for the immediate recruitment of vacant medical posts in various hospital to strengthen the public healthcare system.
The rally in Haldwani has once again highlighted the precarious condition of India’s frontline health workers whose labour sustains public health services, yet who remain at the margins of state policy.
