How Should We Tackle ESI Act Implementation in Districts Without It Yet?

Dear All, Please find attached a circular regarding the implementation of the ESI Act in districts where the Act has not been implemented yet. If the municipal limits of the district headquarters have not been included, those areas will be promptly considered for implementation. The medical arrangements for implementation in the district headquarters area should primarily be made through government hospitals to the extent possible. If there are any challenges in organizing medical benefits through government hospitals, the RDs/SSMCs may explore other options for providing medical benefits. Thank you.

Social Security Schemes Implementation

In my opinion, social security schemes like ESIS are implemented only in areas where there is a sufficient number of coverable employees. The instructions or orders from any authority to extend the scheme to areas in any district without coverable employees are merely a futile exercise.

Therefore, I believe nothing will be achieved from such circulars of the department. It would be better if the department concentrated on and made efforts to extend the schemes in all areas that have not been implemented so far and have an ample workforce to make the implementation of ESIS viable.

It makes sense to be harsh because, in municipal areas, there will always be enough capable workers. The problem is that the medical facilities are pathetic. If they are to be covered by existing government hospitals, in any case, it's a free service and would be available to workers without ESIC.

Dear Team,

In this regard, ESIC Authority should tie up with local nursing homes and hospitals, which can be private, to provide medical assistance to the insured people and their families. A person earning <=15000/- per month deserves social security. From them, 6.5% of their gross salary is collected by the ESIC Authority every month.