Congress Lok Sabha members raise issue of lack of remuneration for ASHA workers

Congress members from Kerala and Tamil Nadu demand social security for ASHA workers, highlighting lack of remuneration and benefits.

Congress members from Kerala and Tamil Nadu on Monday (March 10) raised the issue of lack of remuneration for ASHA workers and their demand for social security cover, saying the "blame game" between the Centre and the Kerala government is not helping the cause of the healthcare volunteers.

Shashi Tharoor of the Congress was the first to raise the issue during Zero Hour. Referring to ASHA workers' month-long agitation in Kerala, he said they are paid poorly and continue to be treated as volunteers and denied social security and pension benefits.

He said the "unsung" heroes, who worked as frontline healthcare givers during the COVID-19 pandemic, are denied regular payments.

He wondered whether their efforts are ignored just because they are women.

Another party member from Kerala, K.C. Venugopal reminded the Chair that he had been seeking to raise the issue for a long time.

He said while the Kerala government is blaming them for the agitation, the Centre is blaming the State for the situation.

RSP's N.K. Premchandran also raised the issue of the plight of Asha workers and their agitation which completed one month on Monday.