ESI vs. Workmen Compensation Policy
In respect of employees who are paid wages of not more than Rs. 21,000, ESI is mandatory. Workmen Compensation Policy is an insurance policy that will cover certain kinds of incidents like accidents causing death or disablement while and in connection with employment. It does not have any medical benefits other than a payment for temporary disablement.
However, the scope of ESI is very wide. The employee under ESI will get medical benefits, free medicine, hospitalization, etc. It covers both the employee and his spouse and also dependent parents subject to the condition related to their income. Subject to some contributory conditions, super-specialty treatment is also available to the parents. Moreover, it absolves the employer's liability to grant 26 weeks of maternity leave to female employees. Therefore, you cannot replace ESI with the workmen compensation policy.