CICU CONDEMNS ESIC HIKE IN WAGE CEILING

Ludhiana, September 8, 2016: Sh.Avtar Singh, President in a Press released today said that ESIC has raised threshold Wage Limit from Rs.15000 to Rs.21000 thereby raising wage ceiling by 40%. This new wage ceiling will add 50.00 lacs workers to ESIC. Moreover, ESIC has not only increased the wage limit, but allowed insured persons to opt for continuing the cover even if their salary breaches the salary.

He further mentioned that majority of industrial workers are not receiving required medical care at ESIC Dispensaries and Model Hospitals in Punjab. In case of sudden accident, Industrialists have to incur additional cost for providing emergency treatment at other hospital/s as there is no facility for the same at ESIC Dispensaries and Model Hospitals in Punjab after 5:30 PM on all working days as well as on every Saturday, Sunday & holidays.

Shri Upkar Singh Ahuja, General Secretary said that employer has to contribute 4.75% of a worker’s salary towards ESIC as contribution while for worker it stands as 1.75%.
This enhancement of wage ceiling which will come into effect from October’ 01, 2016 is uncalled for and unjustified as by this move.

He said that though employers and workers are contributing to ESIC at the rate of 6.50% of the wages of workers under the scheme yet majority of dispensaries functioning in Punjab have been woefully short of doctors, supply of required medicines, basic facilities and infrastructure, which fall within the ambit of ESIC responsibilities. However in case of delayed payment of contribution, the concerned industrialist is being panelized heavily.

Both of them have urged upon Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, Hon’ble Minister for Labour to review the enhanced wage ceiling in the interest of the industrial growth and development of Industry which already facing financial crunch in the prevailing adverse economic scenario.