DC Dimapur, Dr Tinojongshi Chang along with other resource persons during the awareness programme on Employees’ State Insurance Scheme (ESIS) at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur on August 27. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 27
An awareness programme on Employees’ State Insurance Scheme (ESIS) for workers under the organised sector was held on Tuesday at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur. The programme was organised by the State Department of Labour and Employment State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and attended by Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Dr Tinojongshi Chang as speaker.
The DC, in his speech, mentioned that the scheme was first introduced in the State, way back in the year 2008. However, the number of registered members under the ESIS is still very low, he said. This is contrast to states such as Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya where the number of registered persons is highest in the region.
He noted that the scheme is for the benefit of all employees and employers under the private sector. Including for their families and the disabled as well, he added. “It is not for the benefit of the government but for yourself, even if you change jobs, you can still continue with this scheme,” Chang pointed out. During the Covid-19 many workers came back to the State, if they were registered for this scheme then it would’ve provided unemployment payment, he said.
Providing a highlight of the ESI scheme, resource person, L Tsanglao, Deputy Director of ESIC explained that it is a multi-dimensional social security scheme for workers in the organised sector and their families in contingencies. The scheme provides both cash and medical care to beneficiaries during the time of sickness, employment injury, maternity and death or disablement and host of other beneficiaries.
It is being implemented by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. The scheme was first introduced in the Sate of Nagaland (Dimapur) on March 1, 2008.
He said that under this, it applies to factories and other establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cinemas, newspapers, shops and educational/ medical institutions employing 10 or more workers with wage limit of Rs 21,000 (up to Rs 25,000 for persons with disabilities).
It is financed by contributions from employers (3.25%) and employees (0.75%).
This includes medical care, cash benefits- sickness, maternity, and disablement benefits, funeral expenses, confinement expenses, medical care for retired insured persons, vocational and physical rehabilitation.
The other schemes under ESIC were Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana, Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana and ESIC Covid-19 relief scheme.
He mentioned that employers with 10 or more workers were to mandatorily register under the scheme through the Sharam Survidha portal and obtain the employer code. The next leg of the programme is scheduled to be held in Kohima on August 29.
