AWWA holds conference, warns to launch crusade against Govt

Excelsior Correspondent

Anganwadi workers raising slogans during one day conference at Jammu on Wednesday. -Excelsior/ Rakesh

JAMMU, Oct 16: Anganwadi Workers Welfare Association (AWWA) today threatened to launch a crusade against the Government for not redressing their long pending demands.
AWWA organized one day conference under chairpersonship of its president Swarna Choudhary, in which a large number of delegates from all the districts and blocks participated. Lakshman Ravinder Singh senior leader of Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh, Karnail Chand, State president and Ashok Choudhary, Prabhari and secretary of Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh also attended the conference.
While speaking, Swarna Choudhary opposed the extending of working hours from 4 to 6 hours. She demanded Rs 11,000 as minimum wages per month to anganwadi workers and payment of ICDS scheme salary on time and on monthly basis.
Government should declare anganwadi workers as Government employees as they are working with various Governments Departments, Choudhary demanded.
Lakshman Ravinder Singh blamed the Central and State Government for not implementing the ICDS scheme in letter and spirit.
Anganwadi workers are not holding any civil post nor minimum wage is applicable to them, he said, adding that they perform average 4 to 5 hours duty per day as laid down in ICDS scheme and they are being paid honorarium for four hours duty which is injustice with female workers.
Anganwnadi workers will launch agitation at district, block and village level if the Government will not stop harassing workers by extending the working hours.
Karnail Chand, Ashok Choudhary and Neelam Sharma, general secretary, AWWA demanded implementation of EPF scheme, ESI scheme and minimum wage Act for the welfare of workers.
They called upon the workers to remain united and fight for their genuine rights, against injustice and harassment being meted out with them.
Neelam Sharma conducted the proceeding of conference and also presented vote of thanks.