The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) on March 27th 2025 announced the enforcement of key provisions of the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948 in select districts of Uttar Pradesh. This move aims to extend social security benefits to a larger workforce across the state.
Starting from April 1st, 2025, the following provisions of the Employees State Insurance Act will come into effect in the districts of Ambedkar Nagar, Auraiya, Bahraich, Gonda, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Kannauj, Maharajganj, Mahoba, Pilibhit, Siddharthnagar, Shamli, Pratapgarh, Kasganj, and Shravasti in Uttar Pradesh:
Key Provisions to be Enforced:
Sections 38 to 43: These sections deal with the responsibilities and operational aspects related to the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), including the establishment and functions of the corporation.
Sections 45A to 45H: These provisions cover the enforcement and compliance mechanisms related to the contributions, inspection, and audits of the employer and employee participation in the scheme.
Sections 46 to 73: These sections address the rights and obligations related to benefits, including sickness, maternity, disability, and dependent benefits, as well as the procedure for claims and appeals.
Sections 74 and 75: These sections focus on the penalties for non-compliance by employers and the procedural aspects for legal actions in case of violations of the provisions of the Act.
Sub-sections (2) to (4) of Section 76: These provisions pertain to the contribution of employers and employees to the Employees’ State Insurance Fund, ensuring that there is adequate funding for the benefits to be provided under the Act.
Sections 82 and 83: These sections define the powers of the government to make rules and regulations to ensure the smooth implementation of the Employees State Insurance Scheme across the notified areas.
Impact on the Workforce
This move will provide much-needed social security benefits to workers in these districts, ensuring access to healthcare, medical benefits, sickness, and maternity leaves, along with other benefits outlined under the Employees State Insurance Act.
The introduction of these provisions marks a significant step toward improving worker welfare in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where such schemes have not been fully implemented before.
The Government of India, through this initiative, is working to strengthen the coverage of the Employees State Insurance Scheme to promote better health and financial security for workers, thereby contributing to the overall welfare of the working population in the state.
