At a time when personnel of various departments and volunteers are uniting and contributing their bit to tackle the situation resulting from the lockdown to stall the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) the Anganwadi workers have said that they will not assist the Governmental efforts unless their pending demands are met. The state president of Anganwadi Workers Association, Rekha Negi said that they will not support the decision of the State Government to deliver ration supplies to the locals at home with the help of Anganwadi workers unless the government agrees to their demands.
The Anganwadi workers had protested for about two months against the Government and in support of their demands which included raise in allowance, travel allowance, provident fund and health insurance. They had deferred their protest after they were reportedly assured by the State administration to consider their demands by March 10 after making a committee where all the issues could be raised by Anganwadi workers. Reportedly, the State Women Empowerment and Child Development Minister Rekha Arya recently said that if the need arises, the Anganwadi workers will also be deployed for the supplies of ration to the people at home. However, Negi rejected the plan saying that the government pays too less to expect such a risky job amid the threat of novel coronovirus (COVID-19). According to her, the government did not care about their demands during their protest of two months and hunger strike but now they are considering securing their services during the situation resulting from spread of novel coronavirus.
"The Government does not even pay us half of what it pays to the government employees, then why we are being asked to do such jobs during novel coronavirus threat in the State," said Negi.
She added that unless the government takes the responsibility of the safety of Anganwadi workers besides accepting all of their demands, no field work will be done by any of the workers.