Ahmedabad Anganwadi Asha Workers Begin Two-Day Hunger Strike Over Low Wages, Warn of Bigger Battle Ahead

Ahmedabad: Anganwadi and Asha workers from across Gujarat have launched a two-day hunger strike and sit-in protest at Sardar Garden in Ahmedabad, voicing their frustration over rising inflation and mounting work pressure. The agitation is being led by the Gujarat Anganwadi Karmachari Sangathan and the Gujarat Asha and Health Worker Union.

The women workers are deeply aggrieved over their honorarium, which currently stands at just Rs 10,000 a month for Anganwadi workers, Rs 5,500 for helpers, and a mere Rs 4,500 for Asha workers.

Demand to Implement High Court Order, Withdraw Appeal

The protesting women allege that the Gujarat High Court, in August 2025, had ruled in favour of raising the wages of Anganwadi workers and helpers to Rs 24,800 and Rs 20,300, respectively. However, instead of implementing the High Court’s order, the state government approached the Supreme Court with an appeal against it.

The protesters have demanded that the government immediately withdraw its appeal from the Supreme Court, implement the High Court’s ruling without delay, and, as an interim relief measure, pay them wages at par with the state’s minimum wage. They have also called for a permanent resolution to other pending issues, including the retirement age limit.

No Permanent Status Despite Duties Like Census, BLO Work

Anganwadi and Asha workers carry out a wide range of essential government functions from childcare services to serving as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during elections, assisting with the census, and supporting government fairs and camps.

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Despite the ICDS scheme completing 50 years and these workers performing duties comparable to those of regular government employees, they continue to be classified merely as honorarium-based workers. Neither the central nor the state government has granted them permanent employee status  a situation the protesters describe as exploitative.

Warning of a Sharper Agitation if Demands Go Unmet

The women workers stated in clear terms that the government convenes meetings and makes promises but fails to act on any of them. Despite repeated representations, rallies, and protests in the past, no positive resolution has been reached.

Now, the workers say they have been forced to resort to a hunger strike. They warned that if their reasonable demands  implementing the High Court-mandated wage hike and including them under the minimum wage framework  are not met, the unions will escalate the agitation into an even more intense, decisive battle in the days ahead.