Mangalore: Anganwadi workers demand salary hikes and other benefits

Mangalore: Anganwadi workers demand salary hikes and other benefits

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Nov 30, 2012: The DK District Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Association organized a protest near the ZP office on Nov 30 Friday, bringing the government’s attention to several of their unfulfilled demands.

A protest rally from Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) to the ZP office marked the beginning of the event. The protestors also submitted a memorandum to Shakunthala, deputy director of woman and child welfare department.

 

The protestors have demanded increase in number of gas cylinders from 4 to 6, hike in teachers’ and helpers’ salaries to Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 10,000, respectively, notice to be given before transfer, reduced work hours, health and pension benefits, salaries to be deposited into their bank accounts by the 5th of every month, and so on.

Bhavani D., secretary of the Mangalore taluk unit, said that the teachers have been receiving a meager salary of Rs. 4,500 while the helpers have been getting only Rs. 2,250. Since it is difficult for anganwadi staff to make both ends meet with this salary, they have demanded a hike in salary to Rs. 12,000 for teachers and Rs. 10,000 for helpers.

Around 2,500 Anganwadi workers from Puttur, Sullia, Mangalore urban, Belthangady, and Mangalore rural took part in this protest.

Among those present were Aruna D., president of Puttur zone; Vijayalaxmi, secretary of Mangalore urban; Chandravathi, treasurer of Mangalore rural; Kusuma, vice president of Belthangady; Nandini, joint secretary of Sullia; and Kushala, vice president of Mangalore urban unit, and others.