In Kerala, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) have intensified their protest by initiating an indefinite hunger strike, marking a significant escalation in their ongoing struggle for better compensation and benefits. This action comes after over a month of continuous demonstrations outside the state Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, with their demands yet to be met by the government.
On March 20, 2025, three ASHA worker leaders commenced an indefinite hunger strike at 11 AM, following unsuccessful negotiations with state authorities. Despite two rounds of discussions on March 19—one with the National Health Mission (NHM) director and another with Kerala Health Minister Veena George—no resolution was achieved. The government cited financial constraints as the reason for its inability to meet the workers' demands, which include increasing their daily wage from ₹232 to ₹700.
The hunger strike marks the 39th day of the ASHA workers' protest. Their primary demands include a higher honorarium, retirement benefits, and other entitlements. The workers have expressed dissatisfaction with the government's response, stating that their concerns have not been adequately addressed
Health Minister Veena George has acknowledged the ASHA workers' demands and highlighted the state's financial limitations. She noted that the current honorarium of ₹7,000 is supplemented by an incentive of ₹3,000, costs shared equally by the state and the Centre. Additionally, she pointed out that approximately 13,000 ASHA workers currently lack insurance, an issue she has raised with the central government.
The ongoing protest has garnered increasing public support and drawn criticism towards the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government from various quarters, including the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The escalating situation has intensified calls for the government to address the ASHA workers' demands promptly.
ASHA workers play a crucial role in Kerala's healthcare system, acting as a bridge between the community and the public health system. Their prolonged protest and the initiation of a hunger strike have raised concerns about potential disruptions in primary healthcare services, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The indefinite hunger strike by Kerala's ASHA workers underscores the urgency of their demands for better compensation and benefits. As the protest continues, the onus is on the state government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the workers to find a resolution that acknowledges their invaluable contribution to the healthcare system.