ASHA Workers’ Protest 2026: In a tense and chaotic scene this morning, thousands of ASHA health workers and allied activists surrounded the West Bengal Swasthya Bhavan in Salt Lake, demanding a dramatic increase in their pay and better working conditions. The protest turned confrontational at times, with police trying to hold back the crowd and physical shoving reported during the submission of a deputation.
The workers, rallying under the banner of the Paschim Banga ASHA Health Workers Union, made it clear from the opening hours that they were not there to disperse quietly. Their core demand was simple but urgent: a minimum monthly salary of ₹15,000 for all ASHA staff instead of the current irregular honorarium system. Alongside this, they called for regular incentives, formal employment status, paid leave, and compensation of ₹5 lakh in case of death while on duty.
Security forces barricaded key access points to the health department, allowing only a four-member delegation to enter and deliver a memorandum outlining the demands. The protesters remained adamant that only direct talks with the Health Secretary would satisfy their call for respect and economic justice.
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For many of the ASHA workers, this protest was not a sudden outburst. It follows months of unrest across the state, where similar wage and status issues have driven repeated strikes and demonstrations. Workers argue that their role in maternal and child health, immunization drives, and community awareness programs makes them essential to the public health system, yet they remain among the lowest-paid frontline workers.
This morning’s action around the health building drew heightened police presence, and what began as a peaceful assembly escalated into a heated standoff during parts of the day. Several workers reported being pushed by security personnel while trying to advance the deputation, and the protest atmosphere remained charged as the crowd chanted slogans well into the afternoon.
Officials have not yet responded publicly to these specific demands today. With workers vowing to escalate their agitation if their list of demands is ignored, the situation at Swasthya Bhavan signals a broader labor struggle that may shape public health policy in the weeks ahead.
