Anganwadi workers demand status of government servants

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Anganwadi workers from across the state staged a sit-in at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Monday, listing a number of demands for the government’s consideration. The protest has been organised under the aegis of Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers Union (KSAWU), which is associated with Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU).

They demand that Anganwadi workers be regarded as teachers and government employees and be paid accordingly. Currently, they are considered as volunteers and get paid poorly, they rue. They are also not keen on doing additional work, which includes organising various programmes conducted by government schools and the like.

The workers added that the objectives of Integrated Child Development Services are being compromised because of the additional work. The ICDS was put in place to ensure nutritional meals reach children from poorer sections of the society.

The workers said that from 10 am to 1 pm, nobody except children should be able to visit Anganwadis, which would ensure the pupils get undivided attention of the employees. The Anganwadi workers said that there was some confusion over maintenance of attendance sheets because they have to make entries in both their mobile apps and physical attendance sheets, which was extra work.

One of these methods should be enough, the protesters argued. As per a Supreme Court order, retired Anganwadi workers and helpers should be provided gratuity and pension, they observed. The demonstrators reasoned that this sets a precedent for Anganwadi workers to be recognised as regular employees.