1. Sir, it is good that the Govt. has come forward with unification of various labour laws and recently the Govt. has framed Draft Code on Social Security & Welfare. Through this code, various independent departments like EPFO as well as ESIC will be merged with the other social security laws being presently in existence in various States.
2. But the past experience says that handing over various labour oriented schemes for implementation to State Governments is a total failure. Take the cases of schemes of labour welfare under Acts/schemes namely-BOCA, Unorganised Social Security Act, RSBY etc.,wherein the implementation, in my opinion, is a total failure and the contributions made for the welfare of the workers actually goes to the Govt. treasuries of the State Govts. and either the said money is not spent for workers welfare, or if spent, there is huge corruption. Even, the experts and seniors can see that the ESI Hospitals run by the State Govts. are primarily in bad conditions and the States are happy to run such hospital on the same pattern as they are running their own Civil Hospitals.
3. Under above Draft Code on Social Security & Welfare, ESIC as well as EPFO will be handed over to the State Boards, which will be controlled by the concerned State Govts. apparently according to their own whims and fancies.
4. I must submit to the seniors and experts as to what is the use of such unification of labour laws ?. I think, in present scenario, EPFO as well as ESIC are providing best services to the eligible working class because these departments are controlled by Central Boards and are independent from any political influences. The States Govts. are mainly influenced with populist schemes with a sole moto of catching maximum votes in next general elections.
5. In addition, ESIC which is controlling ESIS is primarily based on ILO convention of Social Security Minimum Standards. Whether, the States Govts. will be in a position to comply with such standards and policies of ILO and continue to make ESIS financially viable and workable ?.