BY TC News Desk
Agartala, July 19, 2022: The Anganwadi workers and helpers on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the Director of the Social Welfare and Social Education department through the CDPO of ICDS at Arundhati Nagar here.
In the four pages memorandum, the Anganwadi workers and helpers demanded payment of equal pay for equal work, retirement age should be 65 years, ensure gratuity with retirement, regular pension and other benefits subject to regularization of employment.
They mentioned “In a case of Maniben Maganbhai Bhariya Vs. District Development Officer, Dahod & Ors- the Supreme Court has given the judgment in this case and this verdict is applicable to Anganwadi workers and helpers all over the country.”
“Anganwadi workers and helpers are performing all the duties of a third class employee for only a meager allowance. Anganwadi workers have been exploited for decades by depriving them of regularization and regular pay and allowances. The preamble of the constitution mentions justice. Article 14 of the Constitution mentions the right to equality. Article 43 of the Constitution mandates the provision of living wages to workers. Article 42 of the Constitution directs the state to ensure a fair and humane working environment. In the case of Anganwadi workers/helpers, the Supreme Court order is being blatantly violated. Currently, in this fire market, it is difficult for an Anganwadi worker or helper like us to make ends meet on a meager allowance”, the memorandum reads.
Stating their demands, they said “Regularization of our employment, Payment of equal pay for equal work subject to regularization, Payment of gratuity after retirement under ‘The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972’, Provision of pension and other facilities after retirement as per Government Servants, and Retirement age limit to 65 years.”
