Anganwadi workers, helpers seek release of salary
Say they are without wages for past 12 months
Pulwama: The Anganwadi workers and helpers who were on the forefront of the fight against Covid-19 pandemic are without wages for the last more than a year.
The workers said that in 2018, government announced to enhance the honorarium, however, even after the passing of over two years, the announcement is yet to be put into action.
“From October 2018, no arrears have been released as of now and for February and March 2019, both the centre and state funds are yet to be released,” Fehmeeda Akhter, an Anganwadi worker from Anantnag, said.
She said that from December 2019 to February 2020 no state share was given to us and since June this year we have not received any payments.
“Anganwadi workers and helpers are being treated with utter contempt by the government,” said another worker, adding that despite all government schemes are being implemented through Anganwadi workers and helpers but they are even being denied the meager wages.
“Besides that we are being denied social security, benefits including promotion, gratuity, pension, provident fund and medical facilities,” she said.
“We have been protesting in Srinagar, at district headquarters and even knocking doors of concerned authorities but no attention us being provided towards our genuine demands,” another Anganwadi workers and helpers said.
Despite repeated attempts the Director ICDS wasn’t available for comments.
