Victory for ASHA Workers: Incentive Hike Announced Following Nationwide Struggles
IN a significant development following years of persistent struggle, the Government of India has announced an increase in the fixed and performance-based incentives for ASHA workers. The announcement, made in response to parliamentary questions raised in both Houses during the Monsoon session, marks a clear victory for the ASHA Workers and Facilitators Federation of India (AWFFI) and the lakhs of ASHA workers who participated in the massive General Strike on July 9, 2025.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on July 22 and in the Lok Sabha on July 25, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, stated that the fixed monthly incentive for ASHAs has been revised from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500 following the ninth meeting of the Mission Steering Group held on March 4, 2025. He also noted that performance-based incentives under various national health programmes have been revised. The written reply included a reference to the National Health Mission website for further details.
The announcement comes just two weeks after the July 9 All India General Strike, in which nearly 80 per cent of ASHA workers reportedly participated. According to AWFFI, this is a direct result of the sustained and united efforts of ASHA workers and facilitators across the country. The organisation also acknowledged past mobilisations, including protests during the 2025-26 Union Budget session and drew parallels to the last incentive increase following the Mazdoor Kisan Sangharsh Rally in September 2018.
While welcoming the proposed increase, AWFFI expressed its anger and dismay on the meagre increase in incentives which came after 18 years and the increase in fixed incentives came after 7 years since the last increase in 2018. During this period, ASHA workers have been given significantly increased workloads, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, including responsibilities related to mental health care. With rising prices of food, medicines, and other essentials, AWFFI called the revised incentive grossly inadequate.
The federation also expressed concern over the lack of clarity regarding implementation. Although Union Health Minister J P Nadda had made a similar announcement in Parliament on March 11, 2025, no ASHA worker has received the increased amount to date. AWFFI has questioned why this hike was not included in the 2025–26 Union Budget and whether necessary orders and financial allocations have been issued to state governments. As per available information, no official directive or additional funding has been released, prompting AWFFI to demand immediate clarification and implementation with effect from April 1, 2025.
In addition, AWFFI reiterated its opposition to the voluntary retirement scheme offering Rs 20,000 after ten years of service – reportedly revised to Rs 50,000 – and instead demanded a comprehensive retirement policy including pension, gratuity, and other statutory benefits. The organisation condemned the government’s silence on the status of ASHA facilitators and longstanding demands such as regularisation, minimum wages, ESI, PF, gratuity, service weightage, dearness allowance, and maternity leave.
AWFFI announced that it would intensify its struggle for basic demands and will declare its next course of action at the "All India Mega Rally for Declaration of Struggle" to be held on August 18, 2025, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The federation has called upon all ASHA workers and facilitators to prepare for intensified, united actions in the coming months.
