Karnataka elections: ASHAs await a ray of hope for better pay, safety measures

Accredited Social Health Activists insist their various safety and security concerns be addressed by different parties in their manifesto for the May 10 Karnataka Assembly elections, in addition to a salary hike.

Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), who play a vital role in various State programmes, including healthcare and elections, are demanding better pay and increased safety measures.

The workers insist that their various safety and security concerns be addressed by different parties in their manifesto, in addition to a salary hike.

In Karnataka, there are approximately 42,000 ASHAs and currently receive a salary of ₹6,000, with additional incentives based on their monthly performance.

C.P. Veena, who has been working as an ASHA from Nelamangala for the last 13 years, expressed disappointment with previous governments, stating that despite many attempts, they had turned a blind eye to their needs and demands.

“We have been protesting ever so often for the government to increase our salary, but they never seem to listen,” she said.

Ms. Veena also said that there is an urgent need for the government to provide ASHAs with insurance, stating that although they work primarily in healthcare programmes, they do not have health insurance themselves.

ASHAs are paid incentives of ₹150-200 for each activity they perform. Farheena, an ASHA from Kamalanagar, said that they have been asking the government to increase their salary to ₹21,000 per month.