The Employee State Insurance (ESIC) scheme offers an ESI card, also called a Pehchan card, to its beneficiaries. This card grants access to medical facilities across all ESI-affiliated dispensaries and hospitals and includes detailed information about the employee. Managed by the Employees' State Insurance Corporation, the scheme is compulsory for companies with more than 10 employees and provides financial protection to workers during medical emergencies. It operates under the ESI Act of 1948, governed by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Employee State Insurance Scheme: An overview
The Employees’ State Insurance Scheme, enshrined in the Employees’ State Insurance Act, serves as a comprehensive social insurance mechanism. Its primary objective is to safeguard 'employees' as defined in the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, from the adverse effects of sickness, maternity, disability, and employment-related death. Additionally, it offers medical care to insured individuals and their families. The scheme is applicable to various establishments, including factories, road transport, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, newspapers, shops, and educational/medical institutions, employing ten or more persons.
The main benefits provided under ESI Scheme are:
- Sickness benefit
- Disablement benefit
- Dependants’ benefit
- Maternity benefit
- Medical benefit
In addition to the mentioned benefits, beneficiaries also receive support for confinement expenses, funeral expenses, vocational and physical rehabilitation, unemployment allowance (RGSKY), and skill enhancement training.