Thiruvananthapuram: Striking ASHA workers, staging a protest outside the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, have laid down firm conditions for ending their agitation. Their key demand is a formal government declaration of an increased monthly honorarium, without which the strike will not be withdrawn.

In meeting with Labour Minister V Sivankutty on Monday, the minister reportedly agreed in principle to enhance the honorarium and acknowledged the workers’ longstanding concerns. He also indicated readiness to establish a committee within three months to consider further improvements.

However, the workers remain unsatisfied. Verbal assurances are not enough, they assert, insisting that only a confirmed monetary benefit backed by an official order will prompt them to end the protest.

Workers propose phased hike and expedited review

The protesting ASHA workers have submitted a phased proposal. They are demanding an immediate increase of ₹3,000 in the monthly honorarium. They further propose that a commission be appointed to assess future revisions, with its review period cut to one month to ensure timely implementation of changes. ASHA workers have made it unequivocally clear that the protest will not be called off without a formal government order announcing the revised honorarium. They also require a confirmed timeline for the commission’s review process.

Government yet to issue formal declaration

While Labour Minister Sivankutty is said to have recognised the emotional and financial strain on the workers, no official declaration has yet been issued. The minutes of the latest meeting remain with the minister, and a formal order is still pending.

Unless the Kerala government formally confirms the increase in honorarium and agrees to the workers’ proposed review process, the strike will persist. The ASHA workers have reiterated their position that without financial assurance, the protest outside the Secretariat will continue indefinitely.