All-India strike of Scheme Workers on September 24 which could affect vaccination drive

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 19

The Central Trade Unions (CTUs) have decided to jointly stage an all-India strike of “Scheme Workers” on September 24 which could adversely affect the health services, especially the ongoing drive of Covid vaccination.

The strike is to press for acceptance of workers’ long pending demands of safety, risk allowance, insurance coverage and regularisation, minimum wages and pension. 

The Unions are INTUC, ATUC, HMS AIUTUC,TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU , LPF, UTUC, and CITU. Nearly one crore scheme workers including the Anganwadi, ASHA and Mid Day Meal workers are presently engaged to deliver the basic services of nutrition and health to the majority of the people, risking their lives during the pandemic.  They are the link between the government and the people.

About 10 lakh ASHA workers and facilitators conduct door-to-door surveys on diseases, report cases and get tests done, etc. in addition to the vaccination duties every day. Nearly 26 lakh anganwadi workers and helpers under ICDS who are also performing similar duties along with ASHA workers and also distributing the ration door to door to the beneficiaries.

Nearly 27 lakh Midday Meal workers supply ration door to door to the school going children and perform duties in community centres and quarantine centres. Many other workers under the National Health Mission (NHM) including the 108 Ambulance workers are also performing their duty in the fight against Covid-19.

Workers under schemes like NCLP, NRLM work at the grassroots-level among the community.

A Union leader said on Sunday that these workers are not provided with any safety equipment, including masks or sanitisers. They are also not entitled to any risk allowance or compensation.