Muzamil Shah
Srinagar: Two Anganwari workers on Tuesday attempted self-immolation at press enclave in Srinagar on Tuesday. Dozens of workers are on hunger strike demanding salary hike and regularization.
The duo were identified as Tasleema Subhan, the State President of Anganwari Association, and Haseena Sofi, senior worker who has ‘won several government awards for her work’.
Fehmeeda Akther, a handicapped Anganwari worker from Anantnag, told INS that she has been working as a worker since 1991 and has been facing difficulties in running home due to lesser wages. “Workers as well as helpers want government to think about us as our concerns are genuine,” she said.
Akther claimed that workers are getting 3600 rupees out of which 3000 is paid by Centre and 600 by State. “Ever since I was appointed as a worker I haven’t seen concern minister standing for us like concern minsters in other states, in Delhi they are getting paid 13000 rupees monthly for the same work which we do. We were forced to go for hunger strike by the higher authorities,” she said.
Amina Bano, Srinagar General Secretary Anganwari Workers Association said: “Every one of us has problems and government should address our issues. Government has decided our retirement age but the question is what benefits we shall get from it when we are not regularized.”
She added, “Hundreds of workers who either are divorced or widows. Shall they pay bus fare, raise their children when market prices are touching sky. Our concern minister should at least think about our concerns.”
The protesting employees vowed to fight for their cause until their demands are met. “Our main demand is that government should enhance our salary to 13000 rupees for workers and 8000 to helpers,” another protester said.
