Anganwadi workers hold protest march in Chamba

Anganwadi workers and helpers from Chamba district, under the banner of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), held a protest to urge the government to address their long-standing demands. Their primary concerns revolve around gratuity, salary hikes and improved working conditions. They called for the implementation of gratuity and benefits for Anganwadi workers as mandated by the Supreme Court.

One of the key demands is the elevation of Mini Anganwadi centres to full Anganwadi centres, along with salary increases for Mini Anganwadi workers. The protestors also urged the immediate release of pending salaries for Mini Anganwadi workers dating back to April.

The workers demanded the upgrading of Anganwadi centres to nursery schools and the appointment of Anganwadi workers as nursery teachers. They also sought an increase in their honorarium and financial benefits, including a Rs. 3,000 pension upon retirement. They called for paid leave, including medical leave, similar to what their counterparts in Punjab receive.

Sudesh Thakur, the secretary of the union, highlighted additional demands such as an annual salary hike of Rs. 1,000 for Anganwadi workers and Rs. 500 for helpers, mirroring the system in Madhya Pradesh. The protestors also sought a retirement package of Rs. 1.25 lakh for workers and Rs 1 lakh for helpers.

Other key demands included the promotion of eligible helpers who have completed five years of service and are above 35 years of age to the role of Anganwadi workers. They insisted on being recognised as regular workers as recommended by the 45th Indian Labour Conference.

Additionally, the workers called for enhanced honorarium and benefits, drawing comparisons with the system in Haryana. They demanded an increase in the retirement age to 65 and opposed the privatization of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) under schemes like Vedanta Company’s Nand Ghar. They further sought an increase in the ICDS budget and regular monthly salary payments from both the state and central governments.