11 July 2016
Six lakh anganwadi workers and Helpers observe “Black Day” on 11 July 2016
Against Privatisation of ICDS
For recognition as Workers, Minimum Wage and Pension
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 11th July 2016.
As per the reports received so far, more than six lakh anganwadi workers from 24 states – Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telengana, Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal - observed “black day” on 11 July 2016 at the call of AIFAWH. 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 headquarters 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 permission etc. Even the pouring rain could not reduce their fighting spirit.
In Chhattisgarh, the anganwadi workers and helpers are sitting in a three days long day and night dharna from 11 to 13 July at the state headquarters. In Madhya Pradesh the anganwadi employees are on two days strike on 11-12 July 2016.
In Delhi the anganwadi workers and helpers assembled in front of the CM’s residence and held a protest march. They were arrested and later released. In Gujarat, the employees held a militant protest rally. Even in the north eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, there were district level protests.
AIFAWH had given a call to observe 11 July 2016, the anganwadi demands day as “black day” against the government’s planned move to dismantle the ICDS through consecutive budget cuts and privatization and handing over the centres to big corporate tax defaulters and corporate NGOs in the name of resource crunch. The government which came to power promising “Review the working conditions and enhance the remuneration of Anganwadi worker's” is clearly announced that “we will not increase their remuneration”. The recommendations of the 45th Indian Labour Conference to recognize the anganwadi employees as workers, pay minimum wages and pension are totally ignored. There is an attack on their freedom of association. Since 2011 the remuneration of the anganwadi employees has not been increased whereas the working hours have been increased to make it full time.
AIFAWH once again congratulates the anganwadi workers and helpers for their successful grand show of strength and protest and calls upon then to campaign against the anti worker policies of the government and join the General Strike called by the Central trade unions on 2nd September 2016. It calls upon the common people to support our fight for the childrens’ right for food, health and education and to Save ICDS.
Issued by
A. R. Sindhu
General Secretary
