Security Guards and ESIC: Should Weekly Day Off Count as Wages for Coverage?

Security Business and ESIC Coverage

We are in the security business. Security guards often work seven days a week and are paid a weekly day off for working all seven days. If we include the weekly day off in their wages, many of our guards' salaries exceed Rs. 21,000 per month, making them exempt from ESIC coverage. It's important to note that we deduct ESIC from both the weekly day off and any overtime worked, and we deposit it regularly.

In my opinion, overtime should not be considered for coverage as it is not a fixed wage. However, in our scenario, the weekly day off is fixed and paid every month along with regular wages for 26/27 days.

Question on ESIC Coverage

My question is, should the weekly day off be considered as part of wages for ESIC coverage purposes?

Weekly Off Payment for Security Guards

Security guards are receiving weekly off payments or reliever charges from the employer for work carried out on a weekly off day. Hence, the payment received on this account shall fall into the definition of "wages/salaries," and therefore, this amount needs to be considered for the purpose of payment to ESIC.