Andhra Pradesh Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union
Andhra Pradesh Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union | |
| Founded | c. 1980s |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Members | Unknown |
Key people | Ch. Usha Rani (State President) |
| Affiliations | Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) |
The Andhra Pradesh Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union (AP AWW&HU) is a trade union based in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh representing Anganwadi workers and helpers. The union is affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), a national federation linked to the Communist Party of India (Marxist). It advocates for better wages, regularization of services, and improved working conditions for grassroots childcare workers under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme.
Background
[edit]Anganwadi workers are frontline providers of early childhood care and basic health services under the ICDS scheme. The Andhra Pradesh government implements the ICDS through the Women Development and Child Welfare Department, covering nutrition, preschool education, and maternal health programs.[1]
Anganwadi workers and helpers are not classified as formal government employees. The AP Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union was formed to campaign for job security, regular salaries, and pension benefits.[2]
Activities
[edit]The union has organized several agitations demanding better working conditions, including:
- Regularization of services and permanent status for workers.
- Implementation of minimum wages and social security benefits such as ESI and EPF.
- Timely disbursement of honorariums and enhancement of pay.
In February 2025, the union led a major dharna across Andhra Pradesh demanding wage hikes and better service terms.[3]
Earlier, in December 2023, thousands of Anganwadi workers staged a statewide strike pressing for pensions and service regularization. The protests, led by union representatives and CITU, lasted nearly a week and were supported across various districts.[4]
A few days earlier, the union had launched a coordinated state-wide stir involving road blockades and dharnas at ICDS project offices.[5]
Structure and Leadership
[edit]The union has a presence in all districts of Andhra Pradesh and is structured into mandal-level and district-level committees. As of 2024, Ch. Usha Rani is the State President of the union and has been instrumental in organizing protests and negotiations with the state government.[3]
Affiliation
[edit]The union is affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), which has supported Anganwadi-related protests and policy demands nationwide. CITU itself has long supported Anganwadi staff through national-level organizations like the All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers (AIFAWH).[6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Women Development and Child Welfare Department". Government of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ "Unstarred Question No. 1918: Anganwadi Workers and Helpers" (PDF). Rajya Sabha Debates, Government of India. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ a b "AP: Anganwadi workers stage dharna demanding wage hike". UNI India. 17 February 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ "Anganwadi staff strike in support of demands including pay hike & pension reaches seventh day". The New Indian Express. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ "Anganwadi workers in Andhra Pradesh launch statewide stir". The New Indian Express. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ "Anganwadis seek extension of welfare schemes to them". Hindustan Times. 16 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
