ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF ANGANWADI WORKERS AND HELPERS(AIFAWH) observes Black Day

Tamil Nadu

 

Karnataka

Delhi

6 lakh anganwadi workers and helpers observe “Black Day” against Privatisation of ICDS and recognition as workers, minimum wage and pension on 10 July 2013

All India federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers (AIFAWH) congratulates anganwadi workers and helpers all over the country for the magnificent success of the observance of “black day” on 10th July 2013.

Nearly six lakh anganwadi workers from states – Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tripura, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal - observed “black day” on 10 July 2013 at the call of AIFAWH. In Kerala, due to the hartal in the state today against the state government the protest will be held on 19th July 2013. In Uttarakhand due to the involvement of the union in the relief works, only a memorandum was submitted. In Andhra Pradesh the state anganwadi union is also on three days strike on 8,9 and 10 July. Hundreds and thousands of anganwadi workers and helpers wearing black dress, holding black banners, flags etc hold demonstrations, dharnas, rallies etc at project, district and state head quarters in different states. In various states the government had tried to prevent the anganwadi workers and helpers from participating in the struggle, by issuing notices, denying police permissions etc.

In Delhi more anganwadi workers and helpers held a dharna near ITO, New Delhi. Tapan Sen MP, General Secretary CITU inaugurated. A R Sindhu, Secretary CITU and General Secretary AIFAWH, K Hemalata, Secretary CITU, Ranjana Nirula treasurer CITU and convenor ASHA workers co ordination committee, Kamala, General Secretary Delhi State Anganwadi Workers and helpers Union, M L Malkotia General Secretary State CITU addressed the gathering.

AIFAWH has given a call to observe 10 July, the anganwadi demands day as “black day” against the government’s proposals for move to dismantle the ICDS through privatisation of pre-school education and compulsory handing over to NGOs and corporates, opposition of the Ministry of women and Child Development to the recommendations of the 45th Indian Labour Conference, recognizing the scheme workers (including the anganwadi workers and helpers) as workers, paying them minimum wages and pension and freedom of association.

The Ministry of WCD, whose Minister Smt. Krishna Tirath, who recently appeared in News Headlines for declaring a proposal for “recognizing the women’s house work by paying salary to housewives”, when it came to their turn of recognizing the women’s unpaid labour in these government schemes, in a most shameful manner opposed the ILC recommendations.

AIFAWH demands that the government must stop any move to privatise the ICDS and immediately implement the recommendations of the 45th ILC on scheme workers and must come forward and talk to the trade union federations of anganwadi employees on their demands and issues as in a democracy.