New Delhi, December 1
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday came out in support of the ASHA workers. In a post on X she wrote, “Our ASHA sisters have been fighting for what ought to be their right-to be recognised as permanent employees. They are the backbone of the rural healthcare system; frontline workers who brave every adversity to serve millions of Indians. Despite the vast scope of their work and the long hours demanded of them, Prime Minister Modi’s government refuses to recognise them as legitimate employees.” She further mentioned in her post, “In response to my question in parliament on whether the centre plans to recognise ASHA workers as formal employees and offer them social security, the government merely reiterated that they are ‘volunteers’. This is a grave injustice. They serve society for over 40 hours a week and all they get are honorariums that are way below the minimum wage. The women of India deserve more respect than this. I urge the government to regularise ASHA workers and assure them the respect and dignity that is rightfully owed to them.”
