Will educational institutions & hospital employees get benefit of ESIC?

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: After the new labour code repealed the old labour laws, the Central government's order to include employees of educational institutions and hospitals under the ‘Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)’ has been suspended.

The circular has clarified that the old order should not be implemented until new instructions are issued. It is being expressed that lakhs of employees in the state are likely to be deprived of the free health facilities of ESIC due to this decision.

The ESIC is an important social security scheme of the Central government. Free medical services, medicines, treatment and financial assistance are provided to low-income employees under this scheme. As per the previous order, it was decided to include employees of educational institutions and private hospitals under the ESIC scheme. However, this inclusion has been stopped for now due to the new circular.

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What is mentioned in new circular?

The new circular states that in the wake of the new labour code, the old order should not be implemented for the time being. Instructions have been given to suspend the process in this regard until new guidelines are issued by the Centre.

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Old labour laws repealed due to new labour code

The Central government has implemented the new labour code to simplify labour laws. Many old labour laws have been repealed or changed, which is having an impact on various schemes, due to this.

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Lakhs of employees to be deprived

This decision is likely to temporarily deprive lakhs of employees working in educational institutions and private hospitals in the State of ESIC health facilities.

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What do labour unions say?

According to the labour unions, since employees of educational institutions and hospitals are related to healthcare, it is essential for them to get the benefits of schemes like ESIC. Labour leader Vinod Farkade has demanded that the government give clarity at the earliest and reconsider this decision.

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Benefits for those who are in prescribed salary range

In accordance with the new labour code, some changes have been made by the Central government. Instructions have been given to suspend the implementation of the old order until further guidelines are issued. Further action will be taken accordingly after the new order is issued.

(Dr Meenakshi Rathod, Medical Superintendent, ESIC)