Workers from two major state-run welfare schemes launched an indefinite protest in Hubballi on Monday, demanding long-overdue job security and social benefits. Members of the Karnataka State Anganwadi Employees' Association and the Karnataka State Akshara Dasoha Employees' Association staged their demonstration in front of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi's office, located on the Chitaguppi Hospital premises.
Core Demands: From Wage Hike to Legal Protections
The protest, organized under the banner of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), centers on a series of critical demands for the welfare of lakhs of scheme workers. The protesters are seeking formal recognition and better working conditions.
Their key demands include recognizing midday meal workers as fourth-grade government employees and exempting anganwadi workers from election duties. Furthermore, they are pushing for the implementation of retirement benefits, health insurance, and specifically, maternity and menstrual leave for midday meal workers.
Stagnant Wages and Call to Repeal Labour Codes
Yamuna Gaonkar, Vice-President of the Karnataka State Anganwadi Employees' Association, highlighted a critical financial grievance. She pointed out that the central government has not revised the honorarium for anganwadi workers since 2018. As a result, workers continue to receive a meager Rs 2,700 per month, while helpers get only Rs 1,350.
Malini Mesta of the Karnataka Rajya Akshara Dasoha Naukarara Sangha addressed broader policy concerns. She called for the repeal of the existing labour codes, arguing that the proposed Shram Shakti Niti 2025 fails to provide statutory benefits to workers. "A separate wage commission should be formed for the 56 lakh scheme workers across the country," Mesta demanded.
Appeal for Parliamentary Discussion
The protesting associations have made a direct appeal to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi to intervene. They have requested that he convene a joint meeting with the concerned ministers and raise their issues for discussion in the Lok Sabha. The workers emphasize that their demands for the right to food, health, and education are fundamental and require immediate legislative attention.
The indefinite nature of the protest in Hubballi signals a deepening frustration among these essential frontline workers, who play a pivotal role in child nutrition and preschool education across Karnataka.
