On the 141st day of their indefinite strike, Kerala's Accredited Social Health Activists (Asha) announced plans to intensify their agitation from July, demanding higher wages, retirement benefits, and formal recognition.
Since February 10, hundreds of Asha workers have held a day-and-night sit-in near the State Secretariat. Frustrated by the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government&rsquo;s silence, protest leader M.A. Bindhu declared that a new phase of the protest will now begin.
&ldquo;With local body polls nearing, we will reach out to 1,000 panchayats and municipalities to expose the government&rsquo;s neglect,&rdquo; Bindhu told the media. &ldquo;People must know how this administration has failed frontline workers.&rdquo;
This will be the fifth phase of their protest. Earlier, workers traveled from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram, campaigning and spreading awareness. Many also actively campaigned against the Left candidate during the Nilambur Assembly bypoll, where CPI(M)'s M. Swaraj was defeated.
The workers are demanding an increase in their monthly honorarium from ₹7,000 to ₹21,000 and a retirement package of ₹5 lakh at the age of 62. Some Asha workers have staged dramatic symbolic protests, including cutting or tonsuring their hair.
Despite gaining support from civil society, activists, and even raising the issue in Parliament, the workers say the government continues to ignore their demands.
&ldquo;Our protest will now be linked with the local elections,&rdquo; Bindhu warned.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]

Kerala Asha Workers to Intensify Stir on 141st Day

Protesting since February 10, Asha workers plan fresh statewide outreach amid poll season.

Kerala Asha Workers to Intensify Stir on 141st Day

Protesting since February 10, Asha workers plan fresh statewide outreach amid poll season.

June 30, 2025 | 21:53 IST