ASHA workers detained near Telangana Assembly over pay demands

Several ASHA workers were detained near the Telangana Assembly on Friday while protesting for a fixed monthly salary of Rs 18,000, job security and PF and ESI benefits. Unions warned of intensifying their agitation if demands remain unresolved

Hyderabad: Several ASHA workers were taken into custody by the police near the Telangana Legislative Assembly on Friday when they attempted to stage a protest demanding revision of their pay and implementation of long-pending assurances.

The workers were stopped by the police as they tried to proceed towards the Assembly in small groups and were subsequently shifted to a police station.

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The ASHA workers have been demanding a fixed monthly salary of Rs 18,000, besides job security and PF and ESI benefits. The demand for a fixed honorarium has been a longstanding issue, with the workers repeatedly holding protests in Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana.

The latest protest comes days after thousands of ASHA workers participated in a ‘Chalo Assembly’ agitation in Hyderabad on September 8. Several workers and union leaders were detained during the protest as police attempted to disperse the gathering.

The unions have accused the State government of failing to fulfil its assurances and warned of intensifying their agitation if their demands are not addressed before the conclusion of the ongoing Assembly session.