AIDWA supports Anganwadi workers’ strike in Ongole

AIDWA backs Anganwadi workers' strike in Ongole, demanding higher salaries and better support for the Integrated Child Development Services.

On the third day of the relay hunger strike of Andhra Pradesh Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union (affiliated to the CITU) on Friday (February 27), members of All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA-Prakasam district) extended their support to the Anganwadi workers.

Speaking on the occasion at Prakasam Bhavan in Ongole, AIDWA Prakasam District Chief Secretary Kankanala Ramadevi demanded that the government increase the monthly salaries of Anganwadi teachers to ₹24,800 and helpers to ₹20,300.

She criticised the leaders who “showed sympathy towards the Anganwadi workers during the elections but ignored the promises and betrayed them after coming to power”. She further demanded that the government increase pre-schools in the State.

Ms. Ramadevi said it was unfair for the legislators to increase their own salaries and allowances in every term while neglecting the Anganwadi workers. She accused the government of being negligent towards the welfare of the Anganwadi workers.

“When the Anganwadi workers went on a 42-day strike for a hike in their wages, the then opposition leader and current Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had promised to increase their wages as soon as he came to power. Even after two years, no action has been taken.”

CITU district leader Gantenapalli Venkateswarlu said the coalition government has not implemented the strike agreements, and the G.O. issued on gratuity is against the implementation objectives. He said that pre-schools were being weakened day by day.