After the State government hiked the wages for anganwadi workers, in response to long-pending demands, there has been a mixed response, with those benefiting saying their difficulties go beyond the salary itself.
“While I am happy that the State has increased our pay, it is still insufficient,” said K. Vasugi, anganwadi employee and president of Anganwadi Workers Union. Ms. Vasugi pointed out that one of the main demands raised by the employees was to regularise their positions, so that they can draw wages and benefits. “We do not have provident fund or holidays like the government employees. We too contribute for the welfare of people,” she said.
According to the latest government order, the minimum wages of employees receiving special time scale pay, which includes noon meal workers, anganwadi workers and village panchayat secretary, has been fixed at ₹ 3,000 and ₹ 11,100. The pay plus grade pay of employees at any level as on January 1, 2016 will now be multiplied by a fitment factor of 2.57 for the purpose of fixing their pay in the pay matrix.
“We want a full time scale, which includes all allowances, and not the special scale pay which we currently receive,” she said.
Ms. Vasugi added that many workers look after vacant anganwadi centres, cook, clean and put in their own money to buy vegetables, but at the end do not receive the wage they deserve. “Despite our pleas, our demands continue to be overlooked,” she said.
As per the revised pay, the pension for retired noon meal and anganwadi workers has also increased by ₹ 500. “How is this even enough?” asked Baby Daniel, a former anganwadi worker. “We need more than this paltry raise. Right now, we desperately need medical allowance,” said Ms. Daniel.
“We are aware of the requirements of workers and are looking into their demands,’ said a senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme.
