Mysore/Mysuru: Charging the Government of exploiting ASHA workers by not paying them appropriately for their work, social activist Savitha Pa.Mallesh urged the Government to give all constitutionally mandated facilities to them.

She was speaking after inaugurating the district-level convention of  ASHA workers, jointly organised under the aegis of Karnataka Rajya Samyukta ASHA Workers Association and AITUC at Maharaja College Centenary Hall here yesterday.

Observing that the Government has been providing  jobs to women on contract basis as they do not question much,  Savitha said that contractual women employees including ASHA workers must be considered as Government employees.

Pointing out that the Government has been giving a monthly honorarium of Rs.5,000, she said that, however, the ASHA  workers are doing more work than what they are paid for. Questioning whether it is right to appoint ASHA workers who are serving in the crucial health sector on Contract basis,  she said that the workers must be brought under the Labour Act and should be given all mandated rights and facilities.

AITUC leader Chandrashekar Meti in his address, said that the Government instead of appointing D Group employees, has been appointing women as social workers. Women are being appointed in key sectors as Krishi Sakhi, Pashu Sakhi etc., volunteers by paying them a stipulated honorarium, he said .

Noting that ASHA workers are being paid Rs.5,000 by the State Government and Rs.2,000 by the Central Government as monthly honorarium, Meti said that the fact is that these workers are doing more than 20 jobs for which they are not paid adequately.

Association Advisor  P.S.Sandhya in her address, said that they are not paid monthly honorarium for the past 8-10 months.On the other hand, the work pressure on ASHA workers is increasing, she regretted.

The Association President Subhamangala, office-bearers Bhagya and G.S.Seema, AITUC leader V.Yashodhara and others were present.