The workers, affiliated with AICCTU and unions such as the Bihar State ASHA Workers' Union, Bihar State School Cooks' Union, and the Bihar State Anganwadi Workers' Union, are demanding:
1. A monthly honorarium of Rs. 21,000,
2. Retirement age at 65 years,
3. Rs. 10 lakh retirement package,
4. Lifetime pension for all scheme workers
5. Clearing of all pending dues from the last eight months,
The protest also marked the beginning of a five-day state-wide strike by ASHA workers and facilitators, from 20 to 24 May, demanding long-pending promises be fulfilled. Among their key demands is the immediate implementation of the written agreement made in 2023, which promised an increased honorarium and the clearing of pending payments for February–March 2024, and for the past six months.
Addressing the protest, Shashi Yadav, National General Secretary of AISWF and Bihar MLC denounced both the Modi-led Centre and the Nitish Kumar state government, accusing them of gross negligence. "In eleven years of BJP rule, there has been no revision in the honorarium for lakhs of scheme workers. On the contrary, there has been an outright refusal to consider any increase," she stated. She further criticised the Bihar government for failing to uphold the 2023 written agreement on honorarium hikes and for not disbursing wages for the last eight months despite repeated pleas.
School Cooks' Union leader Saroj Chaubey demanded the state immediately implement the Education Minister’s earlier promise of Rs. 3,000 monthly honorarium for school cooks, extend pay from 10 to 12 months per year, and halt the privatisation of the Midday Meal scheme via NGOs.
Ranjana Yadav, leader of Anganwadi workers, accused the state government of systematic repression. She said striking women workers are being denied promotions, particularly to the role of Female Supervisor, and demanded this discriminatory block be lifted. She also called for the withdrawal of the Facial Recognition Attendance Systems (FRAS) and the provision of smartphones to all Anganwadi workers.
Block Project Assistants, who were arbitrarily dismissed also joined the protest to demand reinstatement of 425 sacked workers into the Social Welfare Department.
Leaders of scheme workers’ unions Savitri, Sanju, Anita, Rinku, Meena, Sona Devi, Poonam and Rekha also addressed the protest rally. Protests were also held in Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Saran, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Supaul, Araria, Nalanda, Rohtas, and other districts.
