Andhra Pradesh Anganwadi workers stand firm on their demands as they record their longest protest

Andhra Pradesh Anganwadi workers stand firm on their demands as they record their longest protest

Anganwadi workers and helpers who have been on strike for the past 27 days have come down heavily on the State government for invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) on their services and using police force to thwart their statewide protest.

Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, during his election campaign in 2019, promised to increase our salaries, retirement and pension benefits and fulfil our other demands after assuming power. We are only demanding that he keep his promise, said one of the protestors who questioned the government’s silence on their issues.

On Monday, the State general secretary of CITU-affiliated Andhra Pradesh Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union, K. Subbaravamma, told The Hindu the ongoing struggle is the longest agitation waged by the Anganwadi workers ever. About 1.06 lakh Anganwadi workers, helpers and mini-Anganwadi workers have been participating in the strike for the past 27 days, she added.

Condemning the use of police force against them, Ms. Subbaravamma alleged that the government was trying to provoke the workers who were protesting peacefully.

Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy had promised to pay us higher salaries than those being paid to our Telangana counterparts. But, now the government is criticising and threatening us in different ways for demanding that the Chief Minister keep his word, said Anganwadi helper Ms. Vijayalakshmi, who participated in a relay fast in Vijayawada on Monday.

A.P. Pragathiseela Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union State general secretary, V.R. Jyothi, said, “The Anganwadi workers will continue their strike till the government solves all the demands.”

“ Why has the government hurriedly brought Anganwadi services under ESMA?” she asked.