One year on, ASHA workers in Karnataka await promised honorarium; to strike again on February 12

More than a year after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced in January 2025 that Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers in Karnataka would be paid a fixed monthly honorarium of ₹10,000, the decision is yet to be formally notified and implemented, triggering another round of protests. There are around 42000 ASHA workers in Karnataka.

ASHA workers have called for another strike on February 12, marking their third major protest since the announcement last year. The first protest was held in August 2025, nearly six months after the promise was made, followed by another protest in December during the winter session. ASHA Union members say the repeated agitations reflect growing frustration over the government’s failure to translate its assurances into action. 

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Increasing honorarium to ₹15,000

At present, ASHA workers receive ₹8,000 per month, including all benefits. With their workload expanding and living costs rising, particularly in Bengaluru, the workers have been demanding a revision in remuneration since 2024.  

The ASHA Workers’ Union has been seeking a fixed monthly honorarium of ₹15,000, along with an additional ₹2,000 for city-based workers. A ₹10,000 fixed honorarium, however, was reiterated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on January 11, 2025, following a detailed meeting with Health Department officials and representatives of the ASHA Union.

The meeting had also resulted in assurances that workers would continue to receive incentives for additional tasks undertaken as part of their duties, and that they would be entitled to three months of paid leave in case of hospitalisation due to serious illness. 

However, union leaders say none of the assurances have materialised so far. Mahalakshmi P., an ASHA worker in the city, said they have been fighting for fair treatment for nearly a decade. Recalling a protest in February 2024, she said the agitation was withdrawn after assurances from the Chief Minister. “We went back with the assurance that our demands would be met. Since then, multiple high-level meetings have been held, but nothing has moved on the ground,” she lamented. 

Neglected workforce

Rama T.C., State Vice-President of the ASHA Workers’ Union, said ASHA workers are central to healthcare delivery in both rural and urban areas, but continue to be neglected. “We ensure basic healthcare and hygiene even in the most remote corners of the State. Yet, we are treated the worst,” she said, highlighting that multiple meetings were held recently with the Health Minister and the Health Commissioner, but the efforts have not yielded results. 

The ASHA Union also reminded the government, ahead of the State budget, of its earlier assurance that budgetary allocation for ASHA workers would be increased. The workers said they expect the upcoming budget to reflect on this commitment, even as the promised honorarium hike remains unnotified.