GURUGRAM: Anganwadi workers and helpers have launched protests in nearly all of the 22 districts in Haryana, demanding higher wages and recognition as government workers.
On Friday, the protesters gheraoed the office of BJP MLA Sudhir Singla, urging the state government to meet their long-pending demands. In Nuh, protests have been ongoing outside the Mini Secretariat for nearly 20 days. Similar scenes have erupted in Rohtak, Rewari, Jind, among other districts.
Drawing inspiration from the protesting farmers, the protesters have vowed to continue their agitation. “The farmers have inspired us to fight for our rights. We are not going to leave the protest site till our demands get fulfilled,” said Bhula Devi, the Anganwadi workers and helpers association president from Jind.
Speaking about the reasons behind the collective protest, Anganwadi workers said that the promises made by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar are yet to materialise on the ground.
Chota Bhalawat, the state chairman of the Anganwadi workers and helpers union, said that in March 2018, the Khattar government had conceded to their demands. “The workers were promised recognition like other workers in the state. But this promise has not been fulfilled,” he said.
Then in September 2018, Bhalawat added, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised the Aganwadi workers a hike in wages, but that did not materialise either. “Anganwadi workers got promised a hike of Rs 1,500 and helpers Rs 750, but that did not happen,” he added.
Protesting workers stressed the importance of recognition as government workers and getting all the benefits that came with it. “Anganwadi workers put their lives into their work, but during retirement, we do not even get the benefits. All the workers are already poor,” said Sabita, a union member.
Those, who have been at the forefront of the Covid crisis, said that they were deeply affected by the apathetic attitude of the state government and would not end their protest any time soon. “We are not working now. We sit on ‘dharna’ every day and will keep doing that till our demands get heard. We will show what women power is this time,” said Bhula Devi.
On Friday, the protesters gheraoed the office of BJP MLA Sudhir Singla, urging the state government to meet their long-pending demands. In Nuh, protests have been ongoing outside the Mini Secretariat for nearly 20 days. Similar scenes have erupted in Rohtak, Rewari, Jind, among other districts.
Drawing inspiration from the protesting farmers, the protesters have vowed to continue their agitation. “The farmers have inspired us to fight for our rights. We are not going to leave the protest site till our demands get fulfilled,” said Bhula Devi, the Anganwadi workers and helpers association president from Jind.
Speaking about the reasons behind the collective protest, Anganwadi workers said that the promises made by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar are yet to materialise on the ground.
Chota Bhalawat, the state chairman of the Anganwadi workers and helpers union, said that in March 2018, the Khattar government had conceded to their demands. “The workers were promised recognition like other workers in the state. But this promise has not been fulfilled,” he said.
Then in September 2018, Bhalawat added, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised the Aganwadi workers a hike in wages, but that did not materialise either. “Anganwadi workers got promised a hike of Rs 1,500 and helpers Rs 750, but that did not happen,” he added.
Protesting workers stressed the importance of recognition as government workers and getting all the benefits that came with it. “Anganwadi workers put their lives into their work, but during retirement, we do not even get the benefits. All the workers are already poor,” said Sabita, a union member.
Those, who have been at the forefront of the Covid crisis, said that they were deeply affected by the apathetic attitude of the state government and would not end their protest any time soon. “We are not working now. We sit on ‘dharna’ every day and will keep doing that till our demands get heard. We will show what women power is this time,” said Bhula Devi.
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