Anganwadi Workers in Shimla Announce Statewide Strike for Demands
Shimla Conference Highlights Anganwadi Workers' Struggles
Shimla — A significant conference for the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union, associated with CITU, took place at Kisan Mazdoor Bhawan in Chitkara Park, Kaithu. The event featured prominent figures including CITU state president Vijender Mehra, along with Ajay Dulta, Ramakant Mishra, Balak Ram, Amit Kumar, Sunil Mehta, Himi Devi, Vivek Kashyap, and Ram Prakash Sharma, alongside numerous Anganwadi workers.
During the conference, a resolution was passed to initiate a statewide strike on July 9, aimed at advocating for long-overdue demands. On this day, all Anganwadi centres will be closed, with major protests scheduled in Shimla, Rampur, Rohru, Kumarsain, Sunni, and Theog.
A new committee consisting of 35 members was elected for a three-year term, with Pingla Gupta taking the role of President, Khimi Bhandari as General Secretary, and Usha Devi as Treasurer. Additional vice presidents, secretaries, and committee members were also appointed.
The key demands outlined include:
- Full Anganwadi status for mini centres and equal pay for equal work.
- Opposition to the closure of mini Anganwadi centres.
- Regularization of all workers and salary increases.
- Implementation of gratuity as per Supreme Court directives and regularization under Gujarat High Court orders.
- Recognition of Anganwadi centres as pre-primary schools.
- Appointment of supervisors based on seniority and educational qualifications.
- Granting government employee status, a retirement age of 65, and benefits similar to those in Haryana and Punjab.
- Financial assistance for uniforms, mobile recharges, and stationery.
- Resolution of issues related to the Poshan Tracker app.
- Opposition to the privatization of ICDS under the guise of “Nand Ghar” and budget cuts.
Union leaders cautioned the central government that failure to regularize Anganwadi workers would escalate the movement. They urged the implementation of the recommendations from the 45th Indian Labour Conference and called for pensions, gratuity, medical leave, and incentives for election duties.