Delhi Anganwadi Workers Union to Boycott Major Parties in Lok Sabha Election

The Delhi State Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union (DSWAHU) has announced its decision to boycott the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Indian National Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. The union, which represents thousands of anganwadi workers and helpers in Delhi, cited the failure of these major political parties to fulfill their long-standing demands for permanent employee status, guaranteed minimum wage, and the reinstatement of terminated workers.

Anganwadi workers and helpers play a crucial role in providing essential services to children and mothers under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in Delhi. However, they have been grappling with job insecurity and inadequate working conditions for years. The union's decision to boycott the AAP, BJP, and Congress is a significant move aimed at holding these parties accountable and pushing for their demands to be addressed.

The DSWAHU expressed disappointment with the AAP government for the termination of 884 workers and helpers in 2022 for participating in a strike, with only 551 being offered their jobs back. The union also criticized the BJP-ruled central government for not delivering on a promised salary raise and the Congress for failing to include their demands in its manifesto.

Why this matters: The boycott by the Delhi State Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union highlights the ongoing struggle of frontline workers for better working conditions and job security. The decision to boycott major political parties in the Lok Sabha election could potentially impact the electoral prospects of these parties in the national capital and bring attention to the long-neglected demands of anganwadi workers.

The Revolutionary Workers' Party of India (RWPI) has emerged as a supporter of the anganwadi workers' cause, with its candidate Aditi visiting several anganwadi centres in Delhi and including the workers' demands in the party's campaign. "The termination of 884 workers and helpers in 2022 has left many in dire straits, with only 551 being offered their jobs back," a union representative stated, emphasizing the hardships faced by the workers due to the AAP government's actions.

Key Takeaways

• Delhi anganwadi workers' union to boycott AAP, BJP, Congress in Lok Sabha polls
• Union demands permanent employee status, minimum wage, and reinstatement of terminated workers
• AAP govt terminated 884 workers in 2022, only 551 offered jobs back
• BJP failed to deliver on promised salary raise, Congress ignored union's demands
• RWPI supports anganwadi workers, includes their demands in party's campaign