6000 ASHA workers march to Jantar Mantar in support of demands

Over six thousand ASHA workers from across 11 states marched from New Delhi’s Ram Lila Maidan to Jantar Mantar on August 21 demanding improvement of infrastructure in all public health facilities, increase in healthcare spending and prevention of privatisation of public health system.

The workers also demanded the implementation of the recommendations of the 45th and 46th Indian Labour Conference which mandates a minimum wage of Rs 18,000 and provision of social security benefits such as pension, gratuity and maternity benefits.   

The ASHA workers collected at Jantar Mantar to submit a memorandum of their demands to the Central government along with signatures of over 50 lakh facilitators, beneficiaries as well as general public.

The meeting that was inaugurated by Tapan Sen, General Secretary of Centre of Indian Trade Unions, and was addressed by Ranjana Nirula of the AICCAW.

Later, a delegation led by Sen and Nirula met the Health Secretary and submitted the memorandum and signatures to him. The delegation received an assurance that their demands would be looked into.