Vijayawada: Asha workers stage day-long protest

Vijayawada: For the first time after the YSRCP government came to power, the Dharna Chowk here witnessed huge protest on Monday when thousands of Asha workers under the aegis of AP Asha Workers Union (CITU) staged a dharna opposing the grade points system in the job chart and demanding payment of honorarium that has been pending since January this year for over 40,000 workers. Thousands of Asha workers who came from all districts in the state staged a dharna from morning to evening at the Dharna Chowk in response to the call given by CITU.

The Asha workers are opposing the grading system, which is based on their performance and works performed.

Addressing the agitating Asha workers on the occasion, CITU state general secretary M A Gafoor while accusing the YSRCP government of betraying the Asha workers demanded immediately release of honorarium, withdrawal of grading system in the job chart among other things.

AP Asha Workers Union general secretary K Dhanalakshmi said the government had decided to pay honorarium basing on the performance of Asha workers. "Workers' performance is divided into A, B and C categories and A grade workers will get Rs 10,000, B grade workers get Rs 5,000 and C grade workers get Rs 3,000. But, getting A grade is very difficult because it would be decided by the doctor, ANM and other officials. Only a few Asha workers will get Rs 10,000 honorarium because the Asha workers have to serve pregnant women and lactating mothers to show their performance in the job chart," she explained.

Dhanalakshmi expressed concern that most Asha workers would remain in C grade only due to the stringent rules in the job chart.

CITU leader K Umamaheswara Rao said Asha workers very happy when the YSRCP government had announced increase in honorarium from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000 but their happiness was short-lived.