Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Bhopal Declaration Seeks Labour Rights for Women Workers
Women who help care for children and families through Anganwadis, health services and school meals are often called volunteers instead of workers.
A meeting in Bhopal asked the government to recognize them as workers so they can receive labour protections.
People from 18 states took part.
They also said children should still get food, school meals and other help if Aadhaar systems do not work.
The declaration asked for better buildings and services at Anganwadi centres.
It also called for nutritious cooked meals and fewer junk-food sellers near schools.
The participants plan to campaign across India for children’s right to food.
A three-day national convention in Bhopal called for Anganwadi, ASHA and midday meal staff to be officially recognized as workers.
The declaration cited about 27 lakh Anganwadi workers and assistants, 10 lakh ASHA workers and 25 lakh cooks-cum-helpers.
More than 400 representatives from 18 states attended the convention, which ended on Sunday.
Delegates said children should not lose access to services or entitlements because of missing Aadhaar or technical problems, and opposed mandatory child apps and related digital checks.
The declaration called for better Anganwadi infrastructure, effective social audits, locally sourced cooked meals, limits on junk food near schools and a national campaign for children’s right to food.
- Who
- More than 400 representatives from 18 states, including advocates for Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers and cooks-cum-helpers.
- What
- The convention issued demands for labour recognition and stronger protections for children’s food and nutrition entitlements.
- When
- The three-day convention ended on Sunday; no date is specified.
- Where
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- The declaration says women providing key services are classified as volunteers rather than workers, and seeks to protect children’s access to food, nutrition and related entitlements.
Convention demands
Existing practices challenged
Worker status
Convention demands
The declaration calls for Anganwadi, ASHA and midday meal personnel to be officially designated as workers.
Existing practices challenged
The article says these personnel are currently classified as volunteers, which the convention says deprives them of labour-law protections and benefits.
Digital requirements for children
Convention demands
Delegates said children must not be denied services or entitlements because of missing Aadhaar or technical failures, and called for an end to facial recognition, e-KYC and mandatory apps for children.
Existing practices challenged
The article reports that Aadhaar-related requirements and digital systems are in use or being proposed, but gives no justification or response from their proponents.
Food programme delivery
Convention demands
The declaration called for locally sourced hot meals and an end to privatisation and commercialisation of government food and nutrition programmes.
Existing practices challenged
The article does not include a response or alternative position from government or programme providers.
- Convention
- Third National Convention on Children’s Right to Food and Nutrition
- Duration
- Three days
- Participants
- More than 400 representatives from 18 states
- Anganwadi workforce
- About 27 lakh workers and assistants
- ASHA workforce
- About 10 lakh workers
- Midday meal workforce
- About 25 lakh cooks-cum-helpers
- School food proposal
- Restrict junk food availability within 200 metres of schools