Jalandhar, July 10 Hundreds of anganwari workers and helpers today gathered at the Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall and demanded that the state government must release its share of 40 per cent in the hike of their salaries. Members of the workers’ union, said in October 2018, the Central Government had announced a hike of Rs 1,500 in their salaries, of which 60 per cent share was to be given by the Centre and the remaining by the state government. “But the state government has refused to give us our share, we have also given letters, addressed to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister, in this regard to the District Programme Officer (DPO),” they said. Addressing the gathering, leaders of the union said anganwari workers were being exploited across the country. They said these workers and helpers, under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), were working to save children from malnourishment and safeguarding them. The protesters said the workers also play an important role in curbing death rates and preventing children in the age-group of 0 to 6 years from falling prey to diseases such as polio. They demanded that the recommendations of the 45th Labour Conference be implemented and workers be brought under the minimum-wage ambit and Rs 18,000 to workers and Rs 15,000 to helpers be paid. The protesters demanded that besides providing benefits of social security, Rs 3,000 pension and gratuity be given to them. They said if the government fails to give them their share, they would intensify the protest.

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