People's Democracy

Anganwadi Workers form

Union in Arunachal Pradesh

THE first state conference of the All Arunachal Pradesh Anganwadi Workers and Helpers’ Union was held on April 30, 2012 in the state capital, Itanagar. Around 1000 anganwadi employees from 14 out of the total 17 districts in the state participated in the conference. Some of them travelled long distances in the hilly terrains, covering part of it on foot, spending a day or more to attend the conference. Jalley Sonam, founder president of the union presided over the conference.

Hemalata, general secretary of the All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers (AIFAWH) who participated in the conference as the chief guest extended warm greetings on behalf of the AIFAWH and outlined the demands of AIFAWH and the various struggles organised by it focussing on these demands. She said that the campaigns and struggles by the AIFAWH and its affiliated unions in 23 states across the country played an important role in securing some benefits to the anganwadi employees from the government of India as well as in several states besides compelling the government to increase the remuneration to some extent.

However, there were still many demands to be achieved like recognition as government employees, minimum wages, social security benefits etc. Besides, the government of India was taking steps to privatise the Integrated Child Development Services programme and handing it over to corporates, self help groups, mothers’ committees and panchayats etc. She told that the ensuing all India conference of the AIFAWH would discuss all these issues in detail and chalk out a programme of action. She called upon All Arunachal Pradesh Anganwadi Workers and Helpers’ Union to be part of the campaigns of the AIFAWH.

Hemalata regretted that the state government in Arunachal Pradesh was not implementing even the benefits due to the anganwadi employees like six months’ paid maternity leave, TA/ DA, reservation in the posts of supervisors to the eligible anganwadi workers etc. The state government did not pay any additional remuneration as in other states. She exhorted the union to take up these issues with the government and organise campaigns and struggles on these demands and assured all the necessary help from the AIFAWH.

Monica Washi, general secretary of the union placed a report before the conference along with a seven point charter of demands and called upon all the delegates to strengthen the union from the project level and mobilise the anganwadi employees in all the projects and districts to achieve their demands.

Jalley Sonam urged upon the anganwadi employees to take more initiative and work actively for strengthening the union. He assured that he would continue to extend all the necessary help and support in their efforts.

Earlier, anganwadi employees from several districts highlighted their problems. They particularly mentioned the arbitrary termination of the services of anganwadi employees, even of those who have been working since the last 20 – 25 years, by the panchayats, lack of social security benefits, maternity leave etc. They expressed their determination to strengthen the union and make it financially stable. Gumri Ringu, chairperson of Arunachal Pradesh state commission for women also addressed the conference and extended support to their demands.

The conference adopted the seven point charter of demands and decided to present it to the chief minister and decide upon the future course of action depending upon his response. It also called upon the anganwadi employees to participate in the May Day programme the next day.

Anganwadi employees and adolescent girls from different districts and belonging to different tribes of the state presented their traditional dance forms in their colourful traditional attires during the conference.