The number of workers eligible for Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) in Gurugram has more than doubled after the labour Ministry’s announcement on January 1 to raise the salary of beneficiaries to `21,000 per month from the earlier limit of `15,000.
Post the Ministry’s announcement around 11.5 lakh workers got into the ESIC pool. Before this, only five lakh workers were eligible for the ESIC in the city. Industrial workers and their dependents can avail of the benefits of the ESIC.
Gurugram has three major industrial hubs, which are situated in Udyog Vihar, Manesar and Khandsa. The ESIC has also approved a scheme named Scheme to Promote Registration of Employers or Employees (SPREE). It intends to promote registration of factories and employees coverable under the ESI Act, 1948.
As per the notification, this one-time drive intends to extend social security benefits to all those eligible under the Act, who have till now been kept out of the ESI coverage and is open for the period from December 20, 2016, to March 31 this year.
The salient feature of the scheme is that the employers registering during the period will be treated as covered from the date of registration or as declared by them, the newly registered employees shall be treated as covered from the date of their registration and this will not have any bearing on actions taken or required under ESI Act, if any, prior to December 20 last year.
On the other hand, industry representatives said the move will not benefit workers much. “Unless the quality of medical facilities improves increasing the wage ceiling will not be a great decision," an industry representative said on the condition of anonymity.
“This is a good move as older employees need more medical attention and it should be left to the workers to decide if they want to stay with ESIC after their salary crosses the threshold,” DK Mishra Director, ESIC said.
“Every second Wednesday of the month we have started ‘Janta Darbar’ at our office in Sector 34 where any employers or employees can file their complaint with us and we will rectify their ESIC related issues as the earliest,” he added.