1.
Prasad Oommen Kurian
– Executive PhD Scholar
2.
Gaurav Manohar Marathe
– Assistant Professor in the Department of OB & HRM at the Indian Institute of Management, Prabandhan Nagar, Nayasarai Road, Ranchi
Abstract
This paper examines the agitation by Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers in Kerala in 2025, within the context of the state’s unique socio-political and
labor relations. Employing a qualitative case study methodology, the research analyzes the agitation using the dual lens of Organizational Behavior and Industrial Relations. The Industrial Relations analysis reveals tensions within Kerala’s traditional labor movement and highlights the limitations of conventional unionism and collective bargaining in representing informal, feminized labor. The Organizational Behavior perspective emphasizes psychological contract breaches and organizational justice violations that underpin worker dissatisfaction and collective mobilization. This paper offers valuable insights for leaders in government, unions, and organizations on the evolving nature of work and labor
activism in welfare states.
