Nearly 70,000 accredited social health activists (Asha) workers called off their one-week-old strike on Wednesday, June 23, after Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope announced a pay hike of INR 1,000 and a COVID-19 allowance of INR 500 from July 1.
Tope also said that Asha workers, an important part of the health system, will get INR 200 for social mobilisation or crowd management in the vaccination drive too.
They had announced an indefinite strike demanding a hike in pay and better amenities.
On Wednesday, the health minister held a meeting with the office-bearers of the action committee at the ministry. Health Commissioner Dr Ramaswamy, Joint Commissioner Dr Satish Pawar, Action Committee members Shubha Shamim, Raju Desale, Shankar Pujari, Asha worker's representative Suman Kamble among others were present.
Giving detailed information about the discussion in the meeting, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said, three meetings were held regarding the demands of Ashas. However, it was decided to give a fixed honorarium increase of INR 1,000 and INR 500 Covid allowance from July 1, 2021, for accurate collection and presentation. Therefore, from July 1, Asha workers will get an overall hike of INR 1500/month.
The group promoters will get a fixed honorarium increase of INR 1,200 and INR 500 covid allowance. This decision will benefit 68,297 Ashas and 3,570 group promoters in the state.
Smartphone as a special gift
A committee will be set up through Yashada to study the honorarium of Asha's work. It will have a representative of the organization, said the health minister. Asha is given an incentive allowance by local self-governing bodies. He said that the local bodies would be recommended to pay the allowance according to the financial situation, adding that an additional allowance of INR200 would be given to Asha for managing the crowd for coronavirus vaccination.
At the same time, instructions will be given to the district hospital to provide a 'shelter center' for the hopefuls, said Rajesh Tope. The health minister said that Asha will be given a smartphone as a special gift.
Issuing a letter for Asha workers
A letter will be issued for the Asha workers, which will mention the details of the honorarium to be received by them. The two per cent reservation for education in the field of Auxiliary Nursing Midwifery (ANM) and General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) will also be granted. Moreover, they will be given priority for contract-based jobs of these posts, the health minister said.
Also Read: To speed up COVID-19 test in villages, provide training to Asha healthcare workers: Ajit Pawar
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