7 cr more workers under ESI

Employees with Rs 15,000 salary are now eligible for the benefit

The family members will continue to enjoy the benefits even after the death of the employee. The announcement was made by Union Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge after the May Day celebrations organised by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee. The change in the policy would benefit more than seven crore employees in the country, Kharge said.

In addition to this change, earlier a company had to have at least 20 employees to avail ESI benefits, which has now been reduced to 10. The minister added the compensation package for dependents of employees, who die in accidents, has been doubled. He also announced that the Centre had reserved Rs 1,000 crore for the welfare of workers in the unorganised sector and the government would make better use of the funds.

Union Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa said Indian Railways has the highest number of employees and the government had initiated many welfare programmes for their benefit. The department would also set up a medical college in Mysore for children of Railway employees.

At the JD(S) office

Participating in the May Day programme organised by the JD(S) here on Saturday, former minister M Raghupathi said employees’ unions had lost the strength and ability to alter government’s decision over the years.

“Earlier protests by unions would put the government in trouble. But over the years, the unions have lost vigour. There is a need to strengthen them,” Raghupathi  said. Former minister D Manjunath pointed out that the emergence of more than one workers’ union in one organisation resulted in the downfall of workers’ movement.  Moreover, such developments resulted in the closure of many industries. There was a need for new leaders, who could lead the workers, Manjunath  added.

Procession

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) held a procession to mark the occasion and called for more safeguards for the labour force against exploitation. The Karnataka Two-wheeler Workshop Owners and Technicians Association had organised a website inauguration ceremony.