Resentment among ASHA workers, meet held in Tinsukia

 OUR CORRESPONDENT

TINSUKIA: A strong resentment prevailed among the ASHA workers and supervisors after they were subjected to systematic deprivation and exploitation for years together and denied wages as per norms and commitments by the NHM and the government. They vehemently opposed engagement of their services in non-health related assignments.

In a district meeting of ASHA workers and supervisors at ASHA Bhawan near Civil Hospital Tinsukia on Saturday, the speakers vent their ire for their forceful job assignments which they had to accomplish without any remuneration even as their meagre salaries were not paid regularly and had to beg before the department every month. Since March they were not paid the salaries. The meeting was attended by more than 180 workers including supervisors.

After the meeting, a press meet was arranged jointly by the members of Tinsukia district unit of Assam State ASHA Union and All Assam ASHA Supervisors Union which was addressed by presidents Jyoti Gogoi and Rumi Hazarika. Gogoi stated that the Health department had been deceiving them with false commitments. The Government announced enhancement of the State share from Rs 1000 to Rs 2000 in November 2022 which was not made into effect yet even discrepancies existed in distribution of Ayushman Card while Hazarika contended that after appraisal system was withdrawn in 2017, the supervisors were paid only TA for 20 days against a month. Both the organisations submitted demands separately which stated regularization of service at par departmental employee and to recognize their services, payment of rightful wages as announced, release of COVID remuneration while the supervisors union demanded besides recognition, to award wages instead of TA, till allotment of wages a remuneration of Rs 30 thousand be awarded, one-time financial assistance to retired ASHA supervisors, allotment of Ayushman Card to supervisors and their families.

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