ICDS workers stage protest demanding 30-days-summer vacation

ICDS workers demand 30-day summer vacation, permanent status, and recognition for essential services, ending protest after government talks.

More than 1,000 Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) workers staged a protest for the second consecutive day here on Saturday demanding 30-days-summer vacation.  

The district secretary K. Mallika said that while students would not be attending classes during the summer vacation, they were being utilised for various other works.  

“Instead, similar to schoolteachers and education department staff, we should also be given 30-days’ vacation,” she added.  

While most of the ICDS workers had been in service for more than a decade, they should be made permanent staff, she noted. 

“ICDS workers carry out some of the essential duties such as providing nutritious food to children and lactating women, we also do survey works to take note of pregnant women in the district,” Ms. Mallika said.  

Valuing the importance of ICDS, they should be recognised at the earliest, she said.