GUWAHATI, Nov 10: The All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers (AIFAWH) has expressed strong support for the recent Gujarat High Court ruling advocating for the regularization of Anganwadi workers and helpers as Class 3 and Class 4 state employees.
The court directed both the Central and Gujarat state governments to jointly develop a policy to implement this regularization under the Gujarat Civil Services (Classification and Recruitment) (General) Rules, 1967. Justice Nikhil Kariel, presiding over the case, stated that while the policy is being formulated, Anganwadi workers should receive minimum wages equivalent to those for Class III and IV government posts.
AIFAWH general secretary AR Sindhu commended the court’s observations, noting that the judgment acknowledges the multifaceted roles Anganwadi workers perform. Beyond childcare, these workers act as paramedical counsellors, coordinators, public relations managers, event organizers, clerks, and preschool teachers, often working over seven hours a day.
Sindhu expressed hope that this recognition will pave the way for better compensation and job security, a long-standing demand of Anganwadi workers nationwide.
Sindhu emphasized that the relationship between the state and Anganwadi workers is one of employer and employee, highlighting the disparity between the government’s pride in the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program and the low compensation given to workers.
Sindhu referenced the Gujarat High Court’s directive, which mandates the framing of rules for regularizing Anganwadi workers and helpers within six months.
AIFAWH called for prompt implementation of the court’s ruling within the specified timeframe.
Sindhu also recalled the 2022 Supreme Court judgment affirming that Anganwadi workers and helpers are entitled to gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act, given their statutory roles under the Food Security Act and Right to Education Act. Despite this, he noted that the central government has not acted on these directives, citing reduced ICDS funding in the latest budget by Rs. 300 crore.
Marking 50 years of the ICDS, Sindhu reiterated AIFAWH’s demand for the institutionalization of the scheme and the regularization of Anganwadi workers, urging the Central government to begin this process nationwide as per the Supreme Court and Gujarat High Court directives.
