Chandrapur ASHA workers demand Rs 31,000 Diwali bonus, warn of indefinite sit-in from Nov 2

ASHA workers and group promoters working under the National Urban Health Mission of the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation have turned aggressive over the Diwali bonus. With the festival almost over, they have still not received an ex gratia payment. Over this grievance, hundreds of ASHA workers led by the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) reached the municipal corporation office on Tuesday and demanded a Diwali bonus of Rs 31,000.

Slogans such as "The bonus is our right, not anyone's favour" echoed through the premises during the protest. The protesters submitted their memorandum the same day to Mayor Sangeeta Khandekar, Deputy Mayor Prashant Danav, Commissioner Akunuri Naresh and Standing Committee Chairperson Manasvi Gihe.

AITUC state vice-president Vinod Zodge Patil warned that if the bonus is not paid in the next five days, an indefinite dharna will begin in front of the municipal corporation office on November 2. The administration has been given five days for this purpose. The protesters said the administration should decide immediately, keeping in mind the financial needs of employees at festival time. They also made it clear that the agitation will continue until the demand is accepted.

About 170 ASHA workers and group promoters work under the National Urban Health Mission of the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation. The organisation's main demand is that all of them be given an ex gratia payment of Rs 31,000 on the occasion of Diwali. Tuesday's (27th) protest was held over this demand.

A large number of ASHA workers who came to the office drew the administration's attention by raising slogans. The organisation says ASHA workers, group promoters and health mission staff did vital work to protect people's health during the Covid-19 pandemic. In view of this contribution to health services, it says, they should receive an ex gratia payment at Diwali.

Zodge said: "During the Covid-19 pandemic, ASHA workers and group promoters shouldered an important responsibility in protecting people's health. In view of this contribution to health services, an ex gratia payment of Rs 31,000 should be given for Diwali. This is AITUC's demand. If the demand is not accepted, an indefinite dharna will be held from November 2."

Savita Gatlewar was joined in the protest by Kiran Dhongde, Pramila Bawne, Shakuntala Dabhekar, Varsha More, Sonali Hazare, Swati Talse and Chhaya Todse. The question of the ASHA workers' bonus has now heated up, and all eyes are on what decision the municipal administration takes.