Social security is undoubtedly essential for nation-building,
particularly regarding labourers, for several key reasons such as economic
stability, human capital development, increased workforce participation and
support for economic policies. By
providing financial support during employment contingencies like unemployment,
illness, or retirement, social security helps maintain consumer spending,
stabilizing the economy and promoting growth. A reliable safety net encourages
individuals to enter the labour market, thus supporting broader economic policies
aimed at the sustainable development of the nation.
Inspired by the strategic vision of Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi, Ministry of Labour & Employment has implemented several
significant policy decisions and steps like codification of labour laws,
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan Yojana (PM-SYM) and National Pension
Scheme-Traders Scheme, launching of
unified web portal ‘Shram Suvidha Portal’, to bring transparency and
accountability in enforcement of labour laws and ease complexity of
compliances, NCS was launched for transformation of the National Employment
Service to provide a variety of employment related services like career
counselling, vocational guidance, information on skill development courses,
apprenticeship, internships etc., development of e-shram portal for creating a
national Database of Unorganized workers, which is seeded with Aadhaar for
optimum realization of the employability and extend the benefits of the social
security schemes to the workers, ESIC COVID-19 Scheme to provide help and
succor to the families of the Insured Persons (IPs) who died due to COVID-19,
enhancing the quantum of Maternity Benefit, reduction in rate of ESIC
contributions.
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, a Social
Security Organisation under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, has been a
forerunner in providing Social Security to our country's workforce. Through its
varied benefit schemes viz. medical and cash benefits, the workers of our
country have benefitted over the last seven decades. ESIC, which looks after
the health and social security of our Shramyogi families, has made historic
progress in the last 10 years. During this period, ESIC has expanded its services
from 393 districts to 674 districts, due to which today the benefit of health
security is reaching 3.72 crore working families, which was earlier limited to
1.95 crore in the year 2014. Today, the total number of beneficiaries has
increased from 7.58 crore in 2014 to 14.43 crore in 2024.
Taking a step forward to holistically strengthen the social
security and health infrastructure for the workforce of our country, Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of
several health
infrastructure projects, and launched various health programmes worth Rs.
12,855 Crore across the ESIC under Ministry of Labour & Employment,
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Ayush, and Dept. of
Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers today at All India
Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi on 29th October 2024.
As part of these projects, the Prime Minister
virtually inaugurated a 300-bedded ESIC hospital in Indore, Madhya Pradesh,
which has the potential to be upgraded to 500 beds. This facility is expected
to benefit around 14 lakh insured persons and their families. Additionally, he
also laid the foundation stone for 06 ESI hospital projects with a combined
capacity of 1,030 beds. These hospitals will be located in Bommasandra
(Karnataka), Narsapura (Karnataka), Pithampur (Madhya Pradesh), Meerut (Uttar
Pradesh), Atchutapuram (Andhra Pradesh), and Faridabad (Haryana). The
initiative aims to meet the medical needs of approximately 41 lakh insured
persons and beneficiaries. The total investment for these projects amounts to
Rs. 1,641 crore.
The inauguration and laying of foundation stones for
Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospitals is a significant step
in enhancing healthcare access for workers in India. By establishing new
hospitals, the Modi government aims to improve access to quality
healthcare services, particularly in industrial and semi-urban areas. These
hospitals will offer a range of services, including outpatient care, inpatient
services, emergency care, and specialized treatments. This focus on quality ensures
that workers receive timely and effective medical attention, which is crucial
for maintaining a healthy workforce.
These social security programs play an indispensable role in
nation-building by supporting the invaluable workforce and their families and
by prioritizing the establishment of ESIC hospitals, Modi Government is
addressing critical health needs within the workforce, reflecting a commitment
to worker welfare and the overall economic health of the nation.
(A PIB feature)
