'What's in an award? Where is the hike in our wages?' Asha workers speak up

On May 22, the #WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus honored more than 1 million female volunteers in India, the #ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers, for their crucial role in community health of rural #India during the #COVID19 pandemic.

India's Prime Minister #NarendraModi congratulated them too. "Congratulations to all ASHA workers. They are at the forefront of ensuring a healthy India. Their dedication and determination is admirable," tweeted the Prime Minister.

The irony in the congratulatory messages could not be missed. The global award comes at a time when over a million #ASHAWorkers have been demanding their rights and protesting against the working conditions. They are struggling to make their ends meet; they do not have job security; their loan applications are not entertained; there's no minimum wage bar. All of this combined with often working in hostile environments.

Watch the video to listen to what the ASHA workers feel about the #WHOAward they have been honoured with.