Four New Labour Codes Seminar Organised in Bawal, Rewari

ESIC Coverage and Benefits to Increase Significantly in Haryana under New Labour Codes

Rewari, December 19, 2025: A seminar-cum-press conference was organized in Rewari to highlight the effective implementation and wide publicity of the four Labour Codes—the Code on Wages, the Industrial Relations Code, the Code on Social Security, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code—implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, with effect from November 21, 2025. The programme was held at the premises of M/s India Japan Lighting Private Limited at Bawal in Rewari district and witnessed participation from representatives of industrial organizations, employers, employees, and the media.

Addressing the gathering, ESIC Director (In-Charge) Sunil Yadav stated that with the implementation of the Labour Codes, a new era has begun for the country’s workforce, ensuring better wages, safer working conditions, expanded social security, and enhanced welfare measures. He informed that the implementation of the Code on Social Security, 2020 would significantly expand ESIC coverage and benefits in Haryana, bringing all categories of workers, including gig and platform workers, under the ambit of social security.

Yadav further stated that annual free health check-ups would now be mandatory for all employees above 40 years of age, to be provided by employers. ESIC coverage has been expanded across the country, with voluntary coverage for establishments employing less than 10 workers, while coverage would be mandatory for establishments engaged in hazardous activities even if they employ a single worker. He added that contract workers would be provided health and social security benefits by the principal employer and would also be entitled to free annual health check-ups. Plantation and mine workers have been brought under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code and the Social Security Code, ensuring full ESIC medical facilities for workers and their families, along with free annual health check-ups for mine workers.

The Director (In-Charge) emphasized that the Labour Codes strengthen social justice and align Haryana’s labour ecosystem with global standards. Women have been allowed, with consent and adequate safety measures, to work in all establishments including night shifts, enabling them to access better-paying jobs. Gender discrimination has been made unlawful, and equal pay for equal work has been ensured. He also highlighted that issuance of appointment letters to all workers has been made mandatory, ensuring transparency, employment security, and formalisation of jobs, while timely payment of wages has been made compulsory for employers.

Briefing the gathering on ESIC initiatives, Sunil Yadav informed that the SPREE Scheme would remain operational till December 31, 2025. Under this scheme, industries and employees not yet registered with ESIC can enrol without facing demands for past dues. He stated that the scheme is based on voluntary compliance rather than penal action, which would reduce litigation and foster trust and cooperation between employers and employees.

He further informed that the Corporation has approved the Amnesty Scheme 2025, a one-time dispute resolution scheme effective from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026. The scheme aims to settle disputes related to coverage, damages, interest, and other issues, thereby reducing litigation and strengthening compliance under the ESI Act.

During the seminar, representatives from M/s India Japan Lighting Private Limited, M/s UFI India Limited, M/s Munjal Auto Private Limited, and other industries raised their queries and issues, which were addressed and resolved on the spot. Representatives of the industry welcomed the Labour Codes and ESIC schemes, stating that these reforms would provide relief to both small and large industries and enable employees to access health and social security benefits more easily.

The programme was attended by Deepak Yadav, President, Rewari Chamber of Commerce and Industries; Reena Bhatt, Executive Member, RCCI; Satish Yadav, HR Head, M/s Munjal Auto Private Limited; along with more than 50 employers and company representatives. From the Sub-Regional Office, Gurugram, Deputy Director Sachin Singh, Social Security Officers Manoj Sachdeva and Jaiprakash Yadav, and Seema Kapoor were also present.