Arundhati Roy Stands In Solidarity With ASHA Workers
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Writer and activist Arundhati Roy extended solidarity with protesting ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activists) workers on Thursday. She has pledged support to their statewide call for women to join the protest on March 8, International Women’s Day.
In a press release, Roy wrote, “Today as governments all over the world swing to the far right… I hope that in my Kerala the people as well as the government will support the demand of the ASHA workers. I stand with them.”
“Let’s show the world that we are different. That we listen and care for the most vulnerable workers down to the last woman,” she added.
The protest, organised by the ASHA Health Workers Association, has seen thousands of workers staging an indefinite strike in front of the government secretariat for the last 25 days.
Their demands include raising their monthly remuneration from ₹7,000 to ₹21,000, retirement benefits of ₹5 lakh, along with other essential allowances. Currently, with incentives, their earnings do not exceed ₹13,000—a stark contrast to their counterparts in Karnataka and Telangana, who receive significantly better wages.
Also Read | Priyanka Gandhi’s Solidarity For Protesting ASHA Workers
ASHA workers have announced that they are planning to intensify the protest on International Women’s Day and more women are expected to join them. The protesting workers are receiving support from medical, political, and cultural spheres.
