A large number of anganwadi workers and assistants took out a rally here on Saturday in support of their demands, which included a monthly salary of Rs. 12,500 and regularisation of services as Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ employees respectively.
Under the banner of the Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers’ and Assistants’ Federation, the protesters marched from RMC Circle on New Sayyaji Rao Road to Bannimantap here, demanding facilities on a par with State government employees.
In a statement issued here, the federation demanded that anganwadi staff should not be assigned work in departments other than those coming under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), a Government of India sponsored programme.
If they were told to carry out works in other departments, their routine and regular responsibilities would be affected, the statement said.
The protesters sought Employees State Insurance (ESI) coverage and benefits such as Provident Fund.
They demanded equal pay for workers and assistants in ‘mini’ anganwadi centres and maternity leave of six months.
They also demanded increase in nutritional supplements for children as anganwadis functioned till 4 p.m., and uniforms for the children.
As part of the second stage of their agitation, they have organised ‘Delhi Chalo’ on December 12 and 13. Parliament Chalo will be held on December 13 as part of an agitation seeking fulfilment of demands of working women under AITUC. Persons who want to participate in the agitations should leave for New Delhi on December 9, the federation said.
