Kerala ASHA Workers to Get ₹7,000 Honorarium as Govt Revises Guidelines:

Thiruvananthapuram: After 36 days of relentless protests, it was a major victory for Kerala’s 28,000 ASHA workers as the government finally withdrew the 10 guidelines that had previously been required for them to receive their honorarium payments. The decision was announced after ASHA workers staged a blockade at the Secretariat, marking a significant step forward in their ongoing fight for fair wages and job security.

Despite this success, the protests are far from over, as ASHA workers have vowed to continue their strike until all demands are met.

ASHA Workers Celebrate a Hard-Fought Victory

ASHA workers, who serve as frontline health workers in Kerala’s rural areas, welcomed the government’s decision and expressed gratitude to women’s organizations, NGOs, and service associations that supported them.

“It is indeed a major victory for us as the government has agreed to remove the various conditions required to receive the honorarium. Now, we will be able to get our ₹7,000 payment without unnecessary hurdles,” said Sharada Kumari, an ASHA worker from Kollam.

However, she emphasized that the protests would not stop until:

ASHA workers are recognized as permanent employees
Pending honorarium payments are cleared

Government’s Announcement & ASHA Workers’ Demands

Health Minister Veena George confirmed in the Assembly that the government had decided to withdraw the guidelines that had long been a barrier to ASHA workers receiving their full honorarium.

Initially, ASHA workers in Kerala were required to complete 10 specific tasks—such as:

Running a health clinic
Preparing ward reports
Conducting community outreach

Each task was valued at ₹700, making it difficult for workers to receive their full ₹7,000 monthly honorarium if they couldn’t complete every task.

Protesters had long argued that these conditions were unfair, leaving many of them struggling with inconsistent payments. The removal of these guidelines is seen as a key win in their fight for better working conditions.

What’s Next? Protests to Continue Until All Demands Are Met

While the government’s decision marks progress, ASHA workers remain firm in their demands for:

Permanent employment status
Timely disbursal of pending payments
Better retirement benefits and wage hikes

With no resolution yet on these issues, ASHA workers have vowed to stay on the streets until the government fully meets their demands.

This landmark movement highlights the critical role of ASHA workers in the healthcare system and their ongoing struggle for fair treatment, wages, and recognition.