Navigating ESI Benefits for Apprentices: Can We Claim for Disablement and Sickness?

This is Ramu working as DM-HR in a manufacturing industry.

My query is that we engage ITI apprentices under the Apprentices Act. We enroll them under ESI even though they are not covered under ESI as per our management policy. One apprentice met with an accident during the course of employment, which led to his unfortunate permanent disablement. Can we proceed for ESI benefits like disablement pension and sickness benefit? If applied, what will happen?

Kindly give us suggestions on this.

An apprentice covered under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act would definitely be eligible for sickness and disablement benefits as provided under the Act.

Please refer to Employees' State Insurance (Amendment) Act, 2010
APPRENTICES COVERED:
Benefits under the scheme have also been extended to Apprentices and Trainees Employed under Apprentice Act and Standing Order Act.

Dear Mr. Ramu,

You have to file an Accident Report in the ESI Portal before proceeding to claim the benefits provided under the ESI Act for accidents while on duty. There are no issues regarding this. However, your management should take serious note of an accident involving an apprentice, permanent disablement, etc.

You have to review the entire process.