Port Blair, April 28: A meeting of the Anganwadi Workers & Helpers working in various parts of Andaman & Nicobar Islands was held at Port Blair on 26th April 2023. The meeting discussed various issues and grievances of the Anganwadi Workers & Helpers. The meeting after detailed discussion has decided to form the Andaman & Nicobar Anganwadi Workers & Helpers Union.
Addressing the meeting, B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary, CITU A&N State Committee said that the Anganwadi Workers & Helpers are the field level functionaries of all the government welfare schemes in the islands but they are being paid a meager amount as remuneration and demanded enhancement of the wages immediately. M. Yugandar, Secretary, CITU State Committee also addressed the meeting.
In a resolution adopted in the meeting, the Union demanded statutory Minimum Wages for the Anganwadi Workers & Helpers of ICDS Scheme as the present remuneration is very less as compared to many States/UTs on the mainland. The Union through another resolution demanded to cover the entire Anganwai Workers & Helpers under the EPF Scheme. The meeting also demanded to grant Bonus to all the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers. The meeting through another resolution demanded to allow Gratuity to all the retiring Anganwadi Workers & Helpers.
Meeting also adopted resolutions on various other issues related to the implementation of ICDS Scheme in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.