Anganwadi,scheme workers seek wages on par with govt employees

RSS-affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) led delegation of Anganwadi and other scheme workers has demanded wages on par with central government employees.
"...Revise our honorarium/wages at least on par with a minimum wage granted to central government employees of the country," said the memorandum submitted by BMS led delegation of Anganwadi and other scheme workers to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday.
"...Our fundamental concern is the honorarium/wage being paid to workers and helpers Rs 3,000 and Rs 1,500 respectively was lastly revised in 2011. Since then the inflation has increased manifolds and the wages of government employees and others have also been revised. We are finding it very difficult to meet our basic need of livelihood," it said.

The scheme was started in 1975 but so far neither these workers have been given minimum wages nor the status of workmen as defined in the law.
It said,"more than 26 lakhs Anganwadi workers and helpers having reach almost in all the villages. Our basic job is to ensure supplementary nutrition, pre primary education, nutrition and health education, immunisation, health check-up and referral services."
In addition to these workers also spread awareness amongst women on health related issues and provide antenatal care for pregnant women and ensuring post-natal care to nursing mothers.
Besides, they are also responsible to connect the common man with the various schemes of the government. It is a matter of great concern that a worker owing various responsibilities of government is deprived of basic requirements of a workman i.E. Minimum wages, social security's etc, the statement said.

After the age of 60 at the time of retirement Anganwadi workers are simply left out with no recognition or basic rights, they pleaded.