Govt promises to soon mitigate woes of ASHAs

SHILLONG, April 25: Health Minister, AL Hek, has said that the state government will soon address various grievances of the ASHA workers and will examine the demands for the protection of their rights.
“We are yet to pay the pending dues of the ASHA workers since 2012. We would like to clear whatever incentives are due to them at the earliest. I have told the principal secretary to address their grievances at the earliest,” Hek informed.
He assured that his department will also take up the issue with the Finance department and, at the same time, will examine the demands for the protection of the rights of the ASHA workers.
According to the health minister, the government has made arrangements of equipment like PPE kits, sanitisers and gloves for ASHA workers as they have played and are playing a crucial role in the fight against COVID-19.
Earlier, the Meghalaya ASHA Workers’ Union (MAWI) had submitted a memorandum to the health minister, seeking release of the remaining dues/benefits of ASHA workers that have been pending since 2012.
In the memorandum, the MAWU recalled that Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had promised of clearing the dues in November 2018. However, only a part of it was received by the ASHA workers, it said.
The Union had also demanded that monthly honorariums for ASHA workers in Meghalaya be fixed in line with the system adopted in other states. “We have been entrusted with the duty on COVID-19. Hence, necessary equipment like PPE, etc., are mandatory for performing the duties and emoluments of Rs 2,000 to 3,000 approximately per month may kindly be provided to the ASHA workers,” the MAWU stated.
The Union also urged upon the government to promulgate or legislate laws for the protection of the right and justice of the ASHA workers in order to avert any illegal, unwanted or arbitrary termination by any person or authority.