Mumbai, Mar 21: Nearly 2.07 lakh anganwadi workers in the state, who have been agitating since the last year seeking an increase in their monthly honorariums, have now demanded the government to extend 7th Pay Commission benefits to them.

The fresh demands comes in retaliation to the government's invocation of Maharashtra Essential Services Management Act (MESMA), 2017 against them, in order to prevent them from going on a strike.

The MESMA is applied on workers part of the essential services sector, whose abeyance from work may lead to unprecedented consequences.

M A Patil of the Maharashtra State Anganwadi Workers' Action Committee argued that the MESMA could be applied only on the government employees.

"We work on honorarium and are not entitled to benefits enjoyed by the government employees. If the government has invoked MESMA against us, then we should also be accorded the same benefits as enjoyed by the employees. Our salaries should be restructured as per the 7th Pay Commission," he said.

The Anganwadi workers are entitled to a monthly pay of Rs 6,300. They have been demanding an increment between Rs 7,000 to Rs 13,000, depending upon the seniority of the workers.

On the other hand, the minimum salary of government employees has been increased to Rs 18,000 following the roll-out of 7th Pay Commission.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 21, 2018 12:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).