Frontline healthcare in India is poised to face a major hurdle tomorrow as ASHA workers nationally led by Karnataka’s trade unions, are scaling back some of the services. The protest is part of a nationwide general strike, which 10 central trade unions organized to protest against new labour codes and for improved working conditions.
Why are ASHA Workers Striking?
The main driver of protests is, in states like Karnataka, the "broken promise" of honorarium hikes. Unkept Promise: In Karnataka, more than 42,000 ASHA employees are striking because the government had not instituted a monthly fixed honorarium (₹10,000) – agreed on early by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in 2025.
- Wages: Nationally, unions are calling for a minimum monthly wage of ₹15,000 to ₹18,000, based on the increasing cost of living and the fact that the workload is compounded by the fact that mental health surveys and digital data entry are now part of their job description.
- Social Security: Employees are asking for permanent employment status, pensions and maternity leave benefits denied to them as they are categorized as “volunteers.”
Potential Consequences for the health care sector
Since ASHA staff act as intermediaries for rural communities and the formal healthcare system, their absence tomorrow will likely mean:
- Delays in Immunization: It is possible that vaccination of infants and pregnant women in rural areas may be delayed in weekly drives. Maternal Care: Community high-risk pregnancy monitoring and antenatal checks at the village level will cease.
- Disease Surveillance: Routine data will have to be stopped for 24 hours for programmes like TB (Tuberculosis) and Malaria control. PHC Overload: With ground staff at the national level hit by a health strike, local PHCs are predicted to experience an increase in walk-in patients as they typically receive home care.
A "Warning" Strike
Trade union leaders have referred to the February 12 action as a “warning strike.” They wrote that unless the government handles the pending honorarium notifications and the repeal of the four labor codes, the movement would escalate to an indefinite strike later this year. Counsel For Citizens: Expect delays at rural health wellness centers. During non-emergencies, visit urban hospitals or wait until Friday, when services should normalize.
