Karnataka ASHA workers to protest on Sep 23, demand better pay and safety kits

ASHA workers in Karnataka are set to protest once again on September 23 demanding better pay and sufficient PPE kits.

Bengaluru: ASHA workers in Karnataka are set to take out a state wide protest on September 23, demanding a hike in their salary along with enough PPE Kits and medical services.

The ASHA workers will also be conducting protests on September 21 and 22 at the district level offices, which will be followed by the protest in Bengaluru’s Freedom Park on September 23.

Nagalakshmi, the president, AIUTUC, told a news portal that a protest will be held on September 23. Their demands include a salary hike and sufficient PPE kits.

“ASHA workers have been doing home visits, collecting swab samples, screening travellers, putting themselves at great risk,” Nagalakshmi said.

Back in July the ASHA workers did a 20-day long protest demanding health kits and hike in salary.

The protest was stopped only after Karnataka Health Minister Sriramulu promised to fulfil their demands immediately.

Meanwhile, Meena, an ASHA worker with Hesaraghatta PHC, died on September 18. 

Meena is the eighth ASHA worker to succumb to Covid-19 in the state due to lack of medical safety forcing the ASHA workers to protest once again.