Anganwadi workers narrate a tale of struggles, demand better pay and gratuity

NT Bengaluru: Anganwadi women workers are in dire straits with their meagre earnings making it almost impossible for them to make both ends meet. On Thursday, a mass protest was held at Freedom Park here by 10,000 Anganwadi workers and helpers who are currently working in the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) of the Department of Women and Child Welfare, seeking fulfillment of their long-unfulfilled demands.

While speaking with News Trail, Ambamma, a worker from Sindhnur Taluk, Raichur, said, “When I joined as an Anganwadi worker in 1993, my salary was just 315 rupees. Now, 31 years have passed, and our salary is only 10,000 rupees. I have two children to feed; my husband, who was a carpenter, passed away due to COVID four years ago. We managed to make both ends meet when he was alive, but now our financial situation has worsened. By the end of the month, all my savings are depleted, and I struggle to meet my children's needs. I urge the government to increase our salary to Rs 30,000.” The Supreme Court has ordered the payment of retirement allowance (gratuity fund) to Anganwadi workers and helpers.

According to the order, gratuity must be paid to Anganwadi workers and assistants who have served since 1975 and retired over time. The protesters demanded that the state government implement this in Karnataka soon. Regarding this, Rajeshwari Devi, from Ramnagar district, said, “We too want gratuity. It plays a huge role in reducing our economic burden. We need to pay for our children's education, their marriage, and even health-related expenses if something unexpected happens. Who can we turn to for money? This fund acts as a source of support for us and the state government should implement it.” The Chief Minister has approved the introduction of LKG and UKG classes in Anganwadi centers and instructed the formation of a committee comprising academicians, subject experts, and representatives of Anganwadi organizations to implement the scheme.

However, the protesters demand proper training for handling LKG and UKG, stating that although they welcome the initiative, it is a big task. Furthermore, the government has not considered increasing their pay scale, and with such a small salary, it is difficult to manage. Mallamma Hugar, a worker from Badami taluk, said, “Every day, we get 5 rupees to buy vegetables. I wonder in which era the government thinks we are? What can we buy with 5 rupees in today's world? It’s a shame for our dignity and work. Even proper food is not supplied. The ration we receive to provide to our children is unhygienic and old.”