Kerala - Kozhikode   

Demand for ESIC office in Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: The Indian National Trade Union Congress-led Steel Employees’ Union has demanded a sub-regional office of the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) here for the convenience of the beneficiaries of the scheme who now have to travel to Thrissur. All administrative and policy decisions regarding the ESI benefits are taken at the regional office of the corporation there.

The union has sought the help of Union Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran.

Since the monthly wage ceiling for ESI benefits was raised to Rs.10,000, there has been a sharp increase in the number of beneficiaries and consequently, the workload at the Thrissur office.

To make the ESI scheme beneficiary-friendly, sub-regional offices were opened at major locations across the country, including in Kollam and Ernakulam. However despite repeated requests, a sub-regional office had not been opened in north Kerala, union leader V. Vijayaprashan said. As a result, people from Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts had to go to Thrissur to claim the benefits. The employers also faced problems as personal hearings in ESI disputes were held only at the regional office.

While the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation had sub-regional offices at Kannur and Kozhikode, the ESIC was yet to open its eyes to the needs of its beneficiaries in the northern districts, Mr. Vijayaprashan said. Since the corporation had its own building at Puthiapalam, no additional expenditure would be needed, he added.

The corporation extends medical benefits to insured employees and family members and cash benefits for sickness, giving birth and accidents, in addition to dependent benefits in the form of monthly pension to dependents of deceased employees. These cash benefits are provided through the 50 ESIC branch offices in the State. The corporation says there are nearly 4,000 factories and establishments covered by the ESI scheme.

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