Anganwadi workers demand better working conditions

Anganwadi Teachers and Helpers Union stages dharna for salary increase and government benefits, threatening Statewide agitation.

A dharna was staged by Anganwadi Teachers and Helpers Union, affiliated to the CITU, in response to the State wide call for protests, seeking a solution to their demands, at the Gandhi statue, near the GVMC, here on Monday.

Addressing the participants at the protest, the union’s State general secretary K. Subbaravamma said that the Anganwadi workers, helpers and mini workers were rendering yeoman services to pregnant women, lactating mothers and children. She said that the staff were investing their money for the organisation of the Anganwadi centres. However, their salaries have not been increased since 2019, in tune with inflation.

She said that the government should take up the demands of the Anganwadi staff during the present budget session failing which another Statewide agitation would be launched by the union.

The main demands include: payment of ₹26,000 p.m. as minimum wages, extension of the benefit of government welfare schemes to Anganwadis and provision of employment to a dependant of Anganwadi staff, who dies in service.

Union district leaders M. Venkatalakshmi, L. Devi, Shobarani and Nageswari were among those who participated in the protest.