Wage limit for ESI benefits raised
Special Correspondent
| It has been increased to Rs. 15,000 a month from Rs. 10,000 |
Rs. 1,000 crore earmarked for the welfare of employees in the unorganised sector: Kharge
Funds set aside to provide facilities to families of beedi workers in the State
BANGALORE: The ceiling on the monthly salary of employees for availing themselves of Employees State Insurance (ESI) benefits has been enhanced from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000 with effect from May Day this year, Union Minister for Labour and Employment M. Mallikarjun Kharge has said.
Speaking to presspersons here after participating in the May Day function organised by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) here on Saturday, Mr. Kharge said a notification in this regard was issued recently. The enhancement in the monthly salary ceiling to avail of ESI benefits would benefit thousands of industrial workers across the country, he said.
Mr. Kharge said the Government had decided to extend ESI benefits to families even after the death of the industrial employee availing healthcare benefits from the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). Also, the Government had decided to provide ESI benefits to industrial units having a minimum of 10 employees as against the earlier 20.
Earlier, addressing the May Day function at the KPCC office, Mr. Kharge said the Union Government had set aside Rs. 1,000 crore in the budget for the welfare of employees in the unorganised sector.
He said the Government had earmarked funds to provide facilities such as healthcare, education and housing to families of beedi workers in the State.
Poor implementation
Mr. Kharge regretted the poor implementation of schemes under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and health insurance schemes in the State.
Union Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa said the Railways was planning to open professional education institutions for children of railway employees.
KPCC president R.V. Deshpande, working president D.K. Shivakumar and labour wing chief S.S. Prakasham were present on the occasion.
Amendment sought
Janata Dal (Secular) leader and MLC Abdul Azeem has sought an amendment to the Industrial Disputes Act as “provisions of the existing Act do not empower Labour Department officials to summon representatives of the management”.
Speaking at the May Day function organised by the party here, Mr. Azeem said the interests of workers could not be protected until an amendment was effected to the Act.
The former MLA N. Rajanna alleged that the interests of workers were being compromised by the Bharatiya Janata Party Government in the State. The former MLA Jyothi Reddy regretted the lack of political will to fight for the interests of employees in the unorganised sector.
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