'Nothing, not even slut shaming, can deter our fight': ASHA workers' strike becomes dignity battle

Even as the ASHA workers' strike in Thiruvananthapuram completes 23 days, the light at the end of the tunnel remains elusive. With no assurance from the government, the protesting health workers are firm on their decision to continue their agitation.

"The government has not yet called us for any talks. Isn't the government elected to power democratically? This arrogance should not be shown by an authority," says S Mini, the founder leader of Kerala ASHA Health Workers' Association, whose fight for justice faced humiliation when CITU state vice president P B Harshakumar addressed her as a 'pest spreading infectious disease’, while speaking to Mathrubhumi English.

When asked about the government's stance that the ASHA programme is a central scheme and the state has limitations in intervening, she says, "ASHA workers are working for the state. It is the responsibility of the state Government to meet their basic needs. ASHA workers protesting in other states under the aegis of CITU are also demanding benefits from the respective state governments, not just from the Centre. Why is Kerala showing a different approach?"

On Health Minister Veena George’s claim that ASHA workers receive a fixed incentive of Rs 3,000 in addition to the Rs 7,000 honorarium, Mini counters, "The Rs 2,000 incentive was sanctioned by the Centre in 2019 following the Parliament march by the ASHA workers. The additional Rs 1,000 is given only to the ASHA worker assigned to the wellness centre each month. If there are 25 ASHAs under one centre, the 25th worker will receive this incentive only after 25 months. The rest is just manipulated statistics. When they say terms like honorarium and incentives, the public finds it complicated. They are misusing this confusion. What ASHAs receive altogether is only Rs 10,000. The claim of Rs 13,000 or more is a blatant lie."
 

A life of dignity without livelihood
"How can one survive on a daily wage of Rs 232? If Rs 100 is used for auto fare, food and other expenses, what is left for them? Only the dignity of being a health worker in society — but how long can one live on dignity alone?" she asks, her voice reflecting the helplessness of thousands of ASHA workers.

The pandemic period, which showcased ASHA workers as the backbone of the health system, is still a haunting memory for many. "ASHAs were not even provided with masks. They were not allowed to enter hospitals after fieldwork.

However, they were forced to record births, deaths, provide medicines and ensure medical care. The Chief Minister used to announce that food would reach the houses of the affected — but how? Nobody ever mentioned that it was
ASHA workers who made it happen. They used to hire vehicles at our own expense to ensure the service reached those in need. They worked that way for three months without pay, forcing them to strike at the Secretariat maintaining social distance for their honorarium of Rs 4,000. Not just this government — no government has considered their hardships in the past 17 years," the ASHA workers’ leader says

On allegations that the protesters are trying to topple the government, she retorts, "If the government is so vulnerable, then let it fall. What is the use of a government that cannot meet the basic needs of health workers? We are not asking for luxury — we are asking for what is rightfully ours."

One of the key demands of the protest is retirement benefits. "Even a household pays for the expenses of domestic workers during marriages or illnesses. But for ASHA workers, who have been serving society for decades, there is not even a small pension or gratuity. Why should women work for Rs 232 daily without any future security?" she adds.
 

‘Will sue CITU leader for slut-shaming’
The protest has seen immense public support. However, the threats of dismissal and slut-shaming remarks from certain political leaders have added insult to injury. 

CITU state secretary K N Gopinath has mocked Union Minister Suresh Gopi for distributing umbrellas to ASHA workers protesting in front of the Secretariat stating that he was unsure whether Suresh Gopi had also given kisses along with the umbrellas

“Such words only reflect their nature. But we are not going to tolerate it. We have decided to move legally against CITU state secretary K N Gopinath for his obscene remarks. The system does not realise the power of women. That is why they are ignoring us. Once they realise it, the issue will be resolved."

"We saw Suresh Gopi only as another human being who showed compassion towards the workers protesting in heavy rains. They could also provide umbrellas and raincoats for us like him. Why didn’t they do it? We would like to know why women leaders of the CPM and other progressive parties are not coming forward in support of us? Why are they not intervening when women are protesting, braving heavy rains and scorching sun?"

"When police tried to arrest Bineesh Kodiyeri, son of then CPM state secretary, the Child Rights Commission and Women Commission had intervened questioning the inhumane actions. What happened to these commissions when the government removed the tarpaulin sheet which was set up by the protesting women to save them from heavy rains and turned off the lights?" she asks.

"ASHA workers are someone who can talk precisely to anyone on their needs. Instead of trying to understand their needs, they are being slut shamed. We’re getting support from all over. So we’re moving ahead to sue Gopinathan as it was a limit for obscenity."

On the support from central leaders, she says they have conveyed to both Congress and BJP leaders that instead of merely expressing solidarity, they should take proactive steps to increase the incentives. "We have made it clear that this is not a platform for political vendetta. You can meet ASHA workers and support them, but what we need is action, not promises," she adds.

‘Govt can’t replace ASHA workers with inexperienced ones’
Regarding threats of dismissal, she asserted that ASHA workers cannot be easily removed, given their extensive experience of nearly 18 years under prominent medical practitioners. "The government cannot simply replace experienced workers with anyone. This is the health sector, not child's play. Though some have been appointed in our places, they are being deceived too. If the government cannot pay us, how will they pay them? This is just an attempt to weaken our struggle. The public won't allow it."

With determination burning brighter despite the rain, sun and humiliation, Mini makes one thing clear — "We will not end this fight without bagging our demands. No weapon, including slut shaming, can deter our struggle."