SHILLONG: The Meghalaya ASHA Workers’ Union has announced that ASHA workers across the state will suspend their services from January 8, 2026, until all pending incentives are cleared by the government.
Speaking to the media at the Shillong Press Club, adviser to the ASHA Workers’ Union, Soni Kharjana, said the union has submitted a letter to the Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM) seeking clarification on the prolonged delay in disbursing their dues.
Kharjana said the decision to halt work was taken due to months-long delays in incentive payments. She stated that several ASHA workers have not received their dues for extended periods, with some waiting for as long as 10 months, while others have been unpaid for nine months, five months, and more.
She said the persistent delay has severely impacted the ability of ASHA workers to perform their duties effectively and urged the government to take immediate steps to clear all outstanding payments.
The union further clarified that the strike will continue until the state government and the Health Department take concrete measures to resolve the issue and address the grievances of ASHA workers.
Kharjana also informed that over 7,000 ASHA workers across Meghalaya are facing similar problems related to delayed incentive payments from the central government. Expressing hope for a resolution, she said that if the government acts promptly, the issue could be resolved within a few months.
