Anganwadi workers from across Karnataka, who have been camping on the streets in thousands demanding a wage hike, ended their protest late on Thursday after the government promised to hold talks on April 10.
The Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers’ Association withdrew their strike after a meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The April 10 meeting will discuss the workers’ demand for an increase in honorarium to ₹10,000 and ₹ 7,500 for anganwadi workers and helpers, respectively.
Minister for Women and Child Development Umashree said the State government could not make any announcement right away owing to the model code of conduct that is in place in view of byelections to Nanjangud and Gundlupet Assembly constituencies on April 9. The workers had refused to relent when the government promised to hold talks on April 19. While the women workers have been protesting on the streets, The ongoing legislature session has also been witnessing a heated political debate on the issue.
As per the 2016-17 budget announcement, the workers are to be paid ₹7,000 and helpers ₹3,500. Unhappy with this, the anganwadi workers had launched the protest demanding a minimum wage of ₹10,000 and ₹ 7,500 for anganwadi workers and helpers, respectively.
