May Day resolve: Lady health workers demand better pay, amenities

On the occasion of the International Labour Day, protesters say they will not rest till they get their rights

HYDERABAD:

On the occasion of the International Labour Day 2023, All Sindh Lady Health Workers and Employees Union (ASLHWEU) organised a rally in collaboration with Public Service International (PSI) and Workers Education and Research Organisation (WERO).

The rally started at 11am, from Poonam Chowk and culminated at Sindhi Language Authority. Later a public assembly was held at Dr Baloch Hall.

The speakers to the assembly along with participants of the rally laid out the problems that the lady health workers face in regards to poor working conditions and frugal amenities. The speakers also listed a set of their demands from the government. They asserted that till these demands are not met, and till lady health workers (LHWs) don’t get the insisted upon rights, their struggle will continue.

ASLHWEU President Haleema Laghari, General Secretary Shama Gullani, WERO General Secretary Mir Zulfiqar, HRCP VP Qazi Khizar, Rights Activist Pushpa Kumari and representatives of civil society organisations addressed the public.

The rally was attended by a large number of lady health workers, lady health supervisors, drivers, representatives of trade unions and CSOs from all over Sindh.

They said that LHWs have been on the frontlines of administering vaccines and educating women about maternal health.

The speakers asserted that keeping in mind their vast contributions these workers were poorly compensated.

Also read: Plight of labourers

Workers, already earning barely livable wages, are the ones who have been and will continue to take the brunt of the inflation caused by the government.

On the restoration of the health risk allowance, the speakers maintained that the recent inflation made it imperative.

A higher pay with better amenities like proper health insurance, social security, maternity leave, overtime and gratuity is the right of lady health workers.

Moreover, the negative attitude around the polio vaccine has made administering it a dangerous job.

The families of the people killed and injured during the anti-polio campaigns should be compensated as well.

The speakers asserted that privatization process of the healthcare services is incredibly alarming. It is in violation of the workers basic human rights as it puts their jobs and income at risk.

The recent floods have massively impacted rural communities. LHWs despite being a part of the affected population, did tireless work in the tent cities and in flooded communities to avert the maternal health crisis that arose as a result of the floods.

Providing pre and post-natal care to mothers and infants in flood-hit areas, lady health workers prevented maternal deaths and helped bring life into this world in hazardous, unsanitary and unsafe conditions. The speakers commended the bravery of the lady health workers in a time of unprecedented climate catastrophe.