Scheme workers threaten stir over Govt apathy
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 09 2021:
Demanding recognition of roles of the workers in the successful implementation of several welfare schemes of the central government as well as provision of minimum wage to the workers, the aggrieved scheme workers threatened to launch agitation on September 24 in case authorities concerned ignore their demands.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here on Thursday, Anganwadi Workers, Helpers and Mini Workers' Union Manipur and All Manipur ASHA Workers' Union Manipur president Khaidem Binodini inforrned that the agitation, in the form of strike, will be launched as per the resolution adopted by ten trade unions in the country.
Anganwadi workers, helpers, miniworkers and ASHA workers will launch the strike in the state as the nation-wide protest.
Stating that scheme workers of the state are facing serious inconveniences, Binodini pointed out that the uniform allowance for scheme workers has not been provided since 2008.A sum of Rs 600 should be credited into the bank account of worker every year as uniform allowance, but the same has not been credited, she said and demanded provision of the uniform allowance and state incentive to the workers.
Maintaining that anganwadi workers and helpers are categorised as frontline warriors for fighting the Covid pandemic only but are not recognised as such at the time of releasing wages, she said that ten central trade unions formed a joint platform and demanded equal wages for their works, increase the wages of workers under central government to Rs 21,000 and providing Rs 10 lakh if any worker contracts Covid-19 while on duty.
She further demanded to Rs 50 lakh insurance cover if any worker succumbs to Covid-19 while doing their duty, provide pension of Rs 10,000 per month to workers, give free medical treatment if worker gets infected by Covid-19 and to include six per cent of the GDP in the budget for the welfare of skilled workers.