Shillong, Nov 7: The Meghalaya Accredited Social Health Activist Workers’ Union (MASHAWU) has decided to intensify its agitation by resorting to an indefinite strike as a mark of protest against the state government’s apathy towards their demand for enhancement of honorarium.
The decision was after the government expressed its inability to give any assurance to the agitating ASHAs, who were on a ‘resting at home agitation’
Speaking to reporters, president of the Union Marajune Myrsing said, “We have decided to go for an indefinite strike till our demand is achieved.”
“We are demanding the state government to increase the honorarium to Rs 5,000 from Rs 2,000,” she said.
The ASHAs are not getting any fixed honorarium from National Health Mission (NHM), she said .
Advisor to the Union, Sonny Kharjana said the Union is ready to discuss with the government based on invitation. This is because if ASHAs refuse to work, it will no doubt affect the health services to the people including issuing of birth and death certificates.
“In fact, we have met the health minister with a plea to increase the honorarium from 2000 to 5000 on the ground that once appointed as ASHAs, they cannot take another job,” she said.
