Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Asha workers, who have been protesting in the state capital demanding a higher honorarium, retirement benefits, and other entitlements, will begin a hunger strike on March 20.

The decision comes as their round-the-clock agitation outside the state Secretariat entered its 36th day on Monday. Protest committee president V.K. Sadanandan confirmed that an indefinite hunger strike would begin as part of their next phase of protest.

"In the first phase, three leaders will participate in the hunger strike, with more workers joining later... The strike will commence at 11 a.m. on March 20 at the same protest venue. This will be a landmark struggle in the history of women workers’ protests," he said. 

Sadanandan stressed that the protest would continue until the workers' demands are met. 

"We do not know how long this will last, but Asha workers in Kerala have the determination and resilience to fight until victory. No threats or inducements will break this movement. We believe the people of democratic Kerala will stand with us," he added.