Navigating Maternity Leave: How Does ESIC Coverage Affect Salary and Benefits?

I am working in a Private Company in the HR Dept. There is one staff lady who is pregnant, and her due date is in October 2017. She also got covered by ESIC in January after the new amendment for ESIC with wages of Rs. 21,000.

My concern is what amount she shall receive for ESIC benefits and the procedure for the company and ESIC beneficiary. Will she receive her full salary during maternity leave? Can the company pay for the same? Please provide information on the new amendment act.

Dear member, the question of eligibility of a woman insured person for maternity benefit is a matter of fact. I believe only the concerned Branch Office Manager of ESIC, to which the insured woman is attached, can decide and confirm this issue. Therefore, it would be better if you or the concerned person could contact the mentioned office.

The ESIC branch office concerned will make payment of maternity benefit (if the individual is eligible) based on the medical certificate obtained from ESIS dispensary/hospital. It would be preferable if you could follow the procedures available on the ESIC website or as advised by the ESIC Branch Office.

Thank you.

Dear Kavita,

As far as I know, the maternity benefits from ESIC can be claimed by a female employee only if her contribution period is for 02 years or more. Until that time, maternity benefits are not applicable to her from ESIC.

For more clarification, you need to visit your local branch of ESIC. If they deny the same, then the maternity benefits have to be borne by the company only.

Maternity benefits can be claimed from ESIC if the member pays contributions for a period of not less than nine months. In this case, ESIC will not pay maternity benefits. The company has to provide the same, provided the employee worked for at least 80 days during the preceding year.

N. LOKANADHA BABU
MANAGER