Wayanad: Congress general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding regular job status, enhanced honorarium and improved working conditions for ASHA and Anganwadi workers across the country.

According to a communiqué from her office, Priyanka Gandhi highlighted that these last-mile workers render unparalleled service in rural areas by facilitating the implementation of various Central government schemes. Their responsibilities include supporting vaccination programmes, distributing nutritious food to children under the National Nutrition Mission, assisting primary health centres in collecting health data, and providing counselling services to people in need in rural villages.

She also pointed out that ASHA and Anganwadi workers play a crucial role in educating children from poor families, serving midday meals and delivering essential healthcare services. Despite this, they continue to face excessive workloads and hostile working conditions, pushing many into distress. Terming these workers as ‘volunteers’ is a grave injustice that demeans their invaluable contribution to the nation, she said.

Referring to the ongoing agitation by ASHA and Anganwadi workers in Kerala, Priyanka Gandhi said they are protesting against discrimination and have raised several demands. These include recognition as government employees, an increase in honorarium, pension and other retirement benefits on retiring at the age of 62, paid leave for workers suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer, and the provision of quality mobile phones with better network connectivity.

She also said some ASHA workers had informed her that the Gujarat High Court had ordered the implementation of minimum wages for ASHA workers in the state. Urging the Prime Minister to consider their plight seriously, Priyanka Gandhi called for steps to ensure justice and dignity for these workers.