Anganwadi workers protest for filling vacancies, summer leave

Madurai: Around 500 Anganwadi workers under the Tamil Nadu Anganwadi Employees and Assistants Association staged a protest in Madurai on Tuesday, demanding the filling of vacancies and a one-month summer holiday in May.

Gathering in front of the Madurai district collectorate, the protesters raised slogans urging the state government to address their long-pending demands. "Despite repeated protests, our demands remain unmet. We were assured a full month's leave in May, like schools and colleges, but the government has only approved 15 days. We want the entire month," said A Varadhalakshmi, the association's Madurai district secretary.

The workers also pressed for filling 30-40% of vacancies, citing excessive workload. "Many of us are forced to manage two or three centres due to staff shortages. This must end," Varadhalakshmi added. They also raised concerns over the Poshan Tracker app, calling it an unnecessary burden, and highlighted issues with outdated government-provided mobile phones, which make face capture difficult.

The protesters urged both the state and central governments to take immediate action. The protest was supported by the CITU and TNGEA.