MUMBAI: The talks between ASHA health workers union and state government have failed on Wednesday and the workers action committee has decided to continue with the indefinite strike to meet their demands mainly to increase the honorarium.
The indefinite strike started on Tuesday continued for the second day.
MA Patil, a leader from ASHA workers action committee, who was part of the talks told TOI that the public health minister Rajesh Tope clearly refused to increase the honorarium of ASHA workers and did not offer any assurance on demands.
“The minister did not even offer any proposal to us and clearly refused our demands saying the state is facing a cash crunch amid Covid crisis.
Hence, we will continue the strike till the demands get fulfilled,” said Patil.
ASHA are accredited social health activists recognised by the union health ministry who have emerged as the backbone of Covid care in rural areas.
ASHA workers in Maharashtra struck work because they want better wages, among other demands.
They get an honorarium of Rs 5,000 per month that they want revised to Rs 18,000 as they work 8-9 hours instead of 2-3 hours as was the original mandate.
On Tuesday evening, the first day of the strike, the five union action committee received a call from the health minister for talks.
The meeting was held at the state secretariat on Wednesday morning however the talks failed.