Kerala govt revokes decision on ASHA workers' retirement age

Thiruvananthapuram: In Kerala’s capital, which is burning more in ASHA worker's protests than under the summer sun, the state government gave in to revoke its earlier decision to set ASHA workers’ retirement age at 62 years. This decision was one of the main demands the protesting ASHAs put forward.

The Pinaryi Vijayan government had earlier issued an order that ASHA workers should retire voluntarily at the age of 62 without any benefits. ASHA workers had raised strong protests against this order. Following this, the minister verbally said that the order had been frozen. The decision made verbally by the minister has now been issued as an order by the government.

Meanwhile, the government has not accepted the proposal to increase the honorarium of ASHA workers and provide Rs 5 lakh as a retirement benefit. Also, although the government said in the last round of discussions with Health Minister Veena George that a committee would be appointed to study the problems of ASHA workers, the procedures have not been completed yet. Meanwhile, the indefinite day-night strike being carried out by ASHA workers in front of the secretariat, citing demands including honorarium, has entered its 69th day. The indefinite hunger strike of ASHA workers, which is going on in parallel, has reached its 31st day.

The Chief Minister responded in a press conference the other day that there is no new situation for talks with the protesters. The strike committee has decided to continue the strike vigorously until the demands are accepted. The strike committee will felicitate the local body administrators who are ready to increase their honorarium on April 21.