ASHA Workers Slam INTUC Over ‘Committee Proposal’, Stir Enters 55th Day in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, April 5 — The prolonged protest by ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers in front of the Kerala Secretariat took a new turn on Saturday as the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association (KAHWA) accused the Congress-affiliated Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) of betraying their cause by proposing a committee to review their demands—an allegation that INTUC has firmly denied.

KAHWA Rejects Government’s Panel Proposal​

The workers, who have been on a 55-day-long sit-in demanding increased honorarium and post-retirement benefits, have refused the state government's offer to form a committee to study their grievances. According to KAHWA state vice president S Mini, the suggestion to constitute such a panel first came from INTUC’s state president R Chandrasekharan during recent discussions with Kerala Health Minister Veena George.

Mini stated on a TV channel that following this, INTUC and other trade unions tried to pressure KAHWA into accepting the proposal. “We did not succumb to the pressure and rejected the proposal outright,” she asserted.

KAHWA had instead proposed a phased honorarium hike—from the current ₹7,000 to ₹21,000—starting with an immediate increase of ₹3,000 to help resolve the protest. However, Mini claimed the government was unwilling to consider this offer.

INTUC President Refutes Allegations​

R Chandrasekharan refuted Mini’s allegations, calling them “lies.” He clarified that he was not the one to suggest the formation of a committee and accused KAHWA of lacking the intent to resolve the issue. He also said the Health Minister had expressed willingness to increase the honorarium.

KAHWA Open to Committee—But With Conditions​

Responding to INTUC’s rebuttal, KAHWA general secretary M A Bindu clarified that the association is not opposed to forming a committee to address broader issues concerning ASHA workers. However, she emphasized that a panel is unnecessary for deciding on immediate financial matters like honorarium hikes or retirement benefits.

“The protestors do not wish to prolong the agitation indefinitely,” Bindu said. “But to end it, there has to be a tangible settlement plan. The government and trade unions only discussed forming a committee without addressing our core demands.”

Hunger Strike Continues Into 17th Day​

As the deadlock persists, the protesting ASHA workers have escalated their agitation with an indefinite hunger strike, now in its 17th day. The demonstrators are firm in their demand for urgent government action, highlighting their critical role in the public health system and the need for just compensation.