Insights on ESI Hospitals, Dispensaries, and Employee Benefits in India

Respected sir,

In India, how many ESI Hospitals & Dispensaries are there in the unorganized sector where the majority of the employees are working? Do they have the right to access the services provided by ESI Hospitals & Dispensaries?

With Regards,
Abdul Rahiman Meharoof
4th sem MSW (HR)
Srinivas College of Social Work
Mangalore
Mobile: 09895503119
Blog: www.mrf007.blogspot.com

For a list of ESI hospitals and dispensaries, please visit the website of ESIC. The ESI scheme is implemented on a unit basis, providing coverage to employees of the respective unit/establishment only. Therefore, workers who operate independently and do not have a common system for contribution remittance cannot access ESI facilities. However, in the new ESI amendment bill passed by the parliament, there appears to be a provision to extend the facilities to those who are below the poverty line.

Regards, Madhu.T.K

Thank you, sir, for your informative reply.

With Regards,
Abdul Rahiman Meharoof
4th sem MSW (HR)
Srinivas College of Social Work
Mangalore

Mob: 09895503119

As of now, ESI is extended only to the organized sector. Recently, ESI Corporation is planning to extend its services to the unorganized sector. This is an initiative step in that direction. Wherever the hospitals and dispensaries are underutilized, they are planning to extend medical care to other members of the public who are below the poverty line by charging a certain amount as usage fees.

However, they have not yet reached a proper conclusion on extending the benefits to unorganized sector employees. This initiative may materialize in the next 1-2 years. Let us hope for the best.

ESI Dispensaries are in a very disgusting situation due to the lack of efficient administration and clean bureaucracy. When it comes to seeking exemption from ESI, big business houses in the country have attempted but failed thus far. In reality, it penalizes employees across the entire country without their fault. It is unclear what the government is doing with the enormous amounts collected through ESI contributions, which burdens both employers and employees.

Therefore, it is advisable to maximize the benefits available under the ESI Act. There are reports that critical illnesses are now referred to professional hospital chains in partnership with ESI. The average worker cannot afford the costs associated with major diseases. Additionally, there is a provision for a pension in the event of an employee's death at the workplace. These are valuable benefits that should be communicated in a manner understandable to the common person. It would be beneficial if an ESI expert reading this post could provide a detailed explanation of these benefits that truly aid the working population.

Dear friends, some of the benefits provided by ESI to its beneficiaries are as follows:

i) Sickness Benefit: An insured person is entitled to 91 days of leave in one year with approximately 60% of their wages, in addition to medical/hospital benefits.

ii) Enhanced Sickness Benefit: In case of family planning procedures such as tubectomy/vasectomy, the insured person/women are entitled to a cash benefit equal to or greater than their wages, along with medical/hospital facilities.

iii) Extended Sickness Benefit: In the event of certain long-term illnesses like TB/heart diseases, the medical benefits will be extended to three years regardless of employment status, and cash benefits can be extended up to two years for individuals with two years of insurable employment.

iv) Disablement Benefit: If an individual is injured in a workplace accident or while commuting to or from work, they are entitled to temporary disablement benefits, amounting to nearly 80% of their wages with no time limit. If the injury results in a permanent loss of earning capacity, such as the loss of a body part or fracture, they will receive a lifelong pension based on Medical Board recommendations, regardless of continued employment. In case of death due to a work-related injury, pensions will be provided to dependents such as the wife until remarriage, children up to 21 years old, and widowed mother.

v) Maternity Benefit: An insured woman who has completed nine months of service under ESI coverage and worked for wages for 70 days in the relevant contribution period will receive 84 days of maternity benefits at a rate exceeding her wages, in addition to medical/hospital facilities.

Moreover, insured persons/women are entitled to funeral expenses, super-specialty treatments, and unemployment allowances in case of job loss due to retrenchment, subject to certain terms and conditions. Since ESI offers a plethora of benefits, many companies find it challenging to afford them, making exemptions difficult to obtain.

I hope I have addressed all the inquiries among our HR colleagues regarding ESI. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to call me at 09443434313 or write to vsyamprasad@yahoo.com.

For more information, visit https://www.citehr.com/252313-esic-wage-limit-concerns-plsssssssss.html#ixzz0nmHQr8Ft

Hi all,

Can you please send me a list of ESIC dispensaries in India?

Regards,
Manjunath
9538520048

Sir,

As per the Annual Report of ESIC for the year 2012-13, there were about 1384 ESI dispensaries throughout the country (in implemented centers). I think there may not be any consolidated list of the said dispensaries because they are located in different regions and different state governments.

You can see a list of dispensaries in a particular region/state from the website of ESIC of that particular region. You can also obtain the information, if required, through RTI. Additionally, you can find some details from the Annual Report of ESIC on their website.