Thousands of Anganwadi Workers’ from Balangir on Sunday joined the 14th day of the demonstration being held before the State Assembly under the banner of the All Orissa Aganwadi ladies Workers’ Association pressing for fulfilment of their various demands.
The Anganwadi Workers demand hike in their minimum pay to Rs 18,000 for Workers and Rs 9,000 for Helpers per month, a minimum pension of Rs 3,000 per month, revised insurance policy and its immediate implementation, implementation of the 45th and the 46th recommendations of the Indian Labour Conference and Government job status.
Criticising the State Government’s callous attitude towards their demands, association general secretary Sumita Mahapatra said, “Our patience has now reached a breakdown point and the strike would continue and be intensified in the subsequent days till the demands are met.”
She also said that the Government is not giving importance to the Anganwadi Workers, who actually work at the grassroots level tirelessly in providing basic healthcares even being overloaded with tasks but are underpaid at the same time.