Labour Ministry Expands Worker Welfare with ESIC Hospitals, Nationwide Health Screening

The Centre has stepped up efforts to strengthen worker welfare, with Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announcing new healthcare infrastructure, expanded social security coverage, and a nationwide preventive health initiative under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) framework.

The Minister inaugurated a 100-bedded ESIC hospital at Doddaballapur in Karnataka and laid the foundation stone for another 100-bedded facility in Bellary. These hospitals aim to provide free, comprehensive medical care to insured workers and their families, particularly benefiting industrial clusters employing large workforces.

Emphasising the role of labour in nation-building, Mandaviya described workers as the backbone of the economy and highlighted the government’s focus on ensuring dignity, healthcare access, and social protection. He noted a sharp rise in social security coverage from 19 per cent in 2015 to over 64 per cent at present with more than 40 crore workers now covered under various schemes.

A key announcement was the launch of a nationwide health check-up drive for workers aged 40 and above, starting May 7 across ESIC facilities. The initiative focuses on early detection of diseases and marks a shift towards preventive healthcare within labour welfare policies.

The Minister also outlined reforms under the new labour codes, including mandatory appointment letters, equal wages for men and women, and compulsory ESIC coverage for workers in hazardous occupations. Additionally, 20 ESIC medical colleges have been set up, reserving 40–50 per cent of seats for children of insured workers, expanding access to medical education.

The ESIC scheme functions as a comprehensive social security system combining health insurance and income protection for workers in the organised sector. Insured workers and their dependents receive free medical care through ESIC hospitals and dispensaries, including outpatient consultations, hospitalisation, surgeries, medicines, diagnostics, maternity care, and emergency treatment. Workers are also protected against employment-related injuries, with compensation for temporary disability, pension support for permanent disability, and financial assistance to families in case of death due to workplace accidents.

The scheme further provides income support during sickness, maternity benefits for women workers, and extended assistance for serious illnesses, along with funeral expenses and rehabilitation services.

Officials said the newly inaugurated Doddaballapur hospital, built at a cost of over ₹101 crore, will cater to around 1.5 lakh insured workers and nearly 5.5 lakh beneficiaries, including family members. Equipped with multi-specialty services and modern diagnostics, the facility is expected to significantly improve healthcare access in the region.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Mandaviya said continuous efforts are being made to expand ESIC coverage, improve healthcare infrastructure, and enhance the quality of life for India’s workforce as part of the broader vision of a developed nation.