Gurugram, November 24
The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, with its historic announcement to implement the four Labour Codes—Wage Code, Industrial Relations Code, Social Security Code and the Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions (OSH&WC) Code—from November 21, has ushered in a new era of better wages, enhanced safety, robust social security and improved welfare for the nation’s workforce.
Sunil Yadav, Director (In-charge), Sub-Regional Office, ESIC Gurugram, said that the implementation of these Codes will lead to an unprecedented expansion in ESIC coverage. He stated that with the enforcement of the Social Security Code 2020, the ESIC benefits available to workers in Haryana will see a remarkable increase. He added that all categories of workers including gig and platform workers will now be brought under the ambit of social security. It will be mandatory for employers to provide free annual health check-ups for all employees aged above 40 years. ESIC coverage has now been expanded across the entire country.
In establishments with fewer than 10 employees, ESIC coverage will be voluntary, whereas it will be mandatory for establishments engaged in hazardous occupations even if they have only one worker. Contract workers will also receive health and social security benefits from the principal employer, along with compulsory annual free health check-ups for workers aged above 40.
Plantation and mine workers have now been brought under the OSH&WC Code and the Social Security Code, enabling them and their families to avail ESIC facilities. Yadav stated that these Codes ensure social justice and align Haryana’s labour ecosystem with global standards. Women workers will now be allowed to work in all establishments, including night shifts, with their consent and necessary safety measures, providing them equal opportunities in higher-paying jobs. He further said that issuing appointment letters to all workers has been made mandatory, which will promote transparency, employment security and formalization of the workforce. Employers will also be required to ensure timely payment of wages.
