Anganwadi workers seek ₹26,000 monthly wage, social security benefits
Anganwadi workers and helpers staged demonstrations outside Collectorates across Andhra Pradesh on Friday, demanding a minimum monthly wage of ₹26,000, pension, provident fund and social
Anganwadi workers and helpers staged demonstrations outside Collectorates across Andhra Pradesh on Friday, demanding a minimum monthly wage of ₹26,000, pension, provident fund and social security benefits. The protests, organised by the Andhra Pradesh Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union, affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), were part of the All India Day of Demands. Addressing a dharna at the Eluru Collectorate, union State general secretary K. Subbaravamma alleged that both the Centre and the State government had failed to fulfil long-pending promises made to Anganwadi workers.
She said that despite the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) completing 50 years, Anganwadi workers were yet to be recognised as employees with statutory labour rights. She alleged that the recommendation of the Gujarat High Court to treat Anganwadi workers as government employees and revise their salaries had not been implemented. She added that wages in Andhra Pradesh had remained unchanged since 2019. The union also alleged that the State government had failed to honour assurances given during the 42-day strike, including a promise made in July 2024 to revise wages.
It demanded gratuity for employees who died in service, withdrawal of the five-year seniority rule for promotions, and the upgradation of around 1,800 mini Anganwadi centres into main centres. The protesters also complained of an increased workload owing to the use of multiple mobile applications, including the Navachetana app, and alleged that travel allowance claims had not been reimbursed despite a government order issued in 2023. CITU leaders A. V. Nageswara Rao and Ch.
Narasinga Rao warned that if the demands were not addressed within two weeks, Anganwadi workers would intensify their agitation by laying siege to Collectorates across the State on July 31.
The BriefWire