- Employees' State Insurance (ESI) is a Social Security and Health Insurance scheme.
- The fund is managed by the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).
- The ESI scheme is applicable to all Factories and Companies with 10 or more employees.
- An Employee, whose monthly fixed salary is less than or equal to INR 21,000/- (INR 25,000/- for disabled employees) is mandatorily covered under this scheme.
- The Employer contributes 3.25% and the Employee contributes 0.75%, with a monthly total contribution at the rate of 4%.
- The employees registered under the scheme are entitled to:
- Medical treatment for themselves and their dependents.
- Unemployment cash benefits in certain contingencies.
- Maternity benefits in the case of women employees.
- Disablement benefit and a Family Pension.
- Outpatient & Inpatient Medical Facilities.
- Funeral Expenses on the death of the member.
- Medical care is also provided to retired and permanently disabled insured persons and their spouses on payment of a token annual premium.