To,
The Honourable Chief Minister of Kerala,

and The Honourable Health Minister of Kerala,

Government of Kerala,
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

Subject: Support for ASHA Workers’ Demands for Fair Wages and Labour Rights

Dear Chief Minister & Health Minister,

I write to express my support for the striking ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers of Kerala and request that your government recognise and reward them as public health workers. 

ASHA workers are the backbone of Kerala’s acclaimed public health system. They have been at the frontlines of every major health crisis — from the Nipah virus outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic — risking their lives to keep communities safe, healthy, and informed. Yet despite their invaluable service, ASHA workers continue to face chronic neglect: they are underpaid, overworked, and denied the basic recognition and benefits that full-fledged public health workers receive.

ASHA workers have been protesting for more than two months for fair compensation, recognition, and dignified working conditions. I urge the Government of Kerala to  meet with their representatives and urgently address their legitimate demands including fair and timely wages, retirement benefits and social security. 

International labour and health institutions, including the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), have consistently called for fair wages, decent working conditions, and formal recognition of CHWs’ contribution to public health and development.

In other parts of South Asia, such as Pakistan, Lady Health Workers have secured public sector recognition, minimum wage protections, and retirement benefits. Kerala, as a progressive government known for its leadership in health and social development, should uphold its legacy by respecting the protesting workers and entering in negotiations with them, setting a national precedent.

I urge the Honorable Chief Minister and the Health Minister of Kerala to mark this May Day by meeting with the striking workers and setting a new national standard for ASHA workers.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Note: Any donation requests you see are made by Change.org, not by us. We are not requesting funds—your signature is what matters most.

Image courtesy: Kerala ASHA Health Workers’ Association (KAHWA)