Port Blair, Sept. 22: The Andaman & Nicobar ASHA Workers Union has postponed the proposed agitation in front of the Directorate of Health Services today (22.09.2023) following an assurance given by the Health Department officials that the demands raised by the Union will be considered favourably.

A large number of ASHA Workers assembled in front of the Directorate of Health Services at Port Blair today (22.09.2023) afternoon.  A delegation of A & N ASHA Workers Union comprising Anbumalar, General Secretary, Sabita Banu, Treasurer, Margrat, Joint Secretary, Salma Bibi and K. Dhanamma, Executive Committee Members along with B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary, CITU A&N State Committee held discussion with the Programme Officer, National Health Mission of Health Department on the demands raised by the Union. 

Earlier, the Director of Health Services also spoke to the General Secretary of the Union and assured that the demands will be considered favourably. Emerging from the meeting, B. Chandrachoodan and Anbumalar explained the discussion held with the authorities. Following the assurance, the mass demonstration proposed to be held in front of the Directorate of Health Services was postponed. 

The Union had demanded among other things, (i) enhancement of the monthly Honorarium from Rs. 2000 to Rs. 10,000 to ASHA Workers, (ii) Leave Facility and (iii) to cover all the ASHA Workers under EPF Scheme. 

Earlier, K. Surendran Pillai, President, D. Ayyappan, Vice President, SP Kalairajan and PK Khalid, Secretaries of CITU State Committee and Teressa Kerkkatta, Vice President, ASHA Workers Union addressed the gathering.