Anganwadi Workers Demand Salary Hike by March Ten

• Anganwadi workers demand salary hike by March ten
• Anganwadi workers unions condemn police action during protest
• Anganwadi workers warn protests if salary hike delayed

Anganwadi workers and helpers unions in Andhra Pradesh have demanded that the state government announce a salary hike before March ten. Leaders of several unions warned that protests will be organized across constituency headquarters if the government fails to respond.

The demand was raised by representatives of the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union affiliated with CITU the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Association affiliated with AITUC and the Progressive Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union affiliated with IFTU. State leaders K Subbaraoamma Lalitamma and V R Jyothi addressed the media in Vijayawada and explained their concerns.

According to the union leaders thousands of Anganwadi workers recently gathered in Vijayawada to participate in a large protest demanding better wages and improved working conditions. Despite the strong participation they said the government did not initiate any meaningful discussion on the salary issue.

They also alleged that several Anganwadi workers were forced to stay overnight in tents after the protest due to the absence of any response from authorities. Union representatives expressed disappointment that the government did not attempt to resolve the issue even after the demonstration attracted large numbers of workers.

Union leaders further condemned the police action during the protest. They alleged that police personnel dismantled the protest tents and used force against women workers. According to the unions several workers were injured and the state union president Baby Rani reportedly suffered a fractured arm during the incident.

The leaders also claimed that nearly one thousand Anganwadi workers were detained and taken in police vehicles early in the morning. They said the workers were transported to police stations located far away and were not allowed basic facilities for several hours.

Calling the police action unacceptable the unions said such measures will only strengthen their resolve to continue the movement. They urged the government to hold talks and address the long pending demand for a salary hike.

Union leaders warned that if no announcement is made by March ten Anganwadi workers will organize protests across the state on March eleven to intensify their agitation for fair wages and dignity in their work.