business100news.com; Kodikunnil Suresh MP raised the issue of strengthening social security and healthcare protection for workers covered under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) in Parliament under Rule 377, urging the government to implement urgent reforms.
Highlighting the sharp rise in wages and cost of living, the MP stated that the existing ESIC wage ceiling no longer reflects present economic realities. As a result, a large number of low- and middle-income workers are being excluded from ESIC benefits. To ensure the objective of universal social security, he demanded that the ESIC wage ceiling be immediately enhanced to ₹25,000 per month.
Kodikunnil Suresh MP also called for special consideration of the unique circumstances of seasonal workers, including cashew industry workers. He pointed out that due to strict minimum contributory day requirements, many seasonal workers are denied access to healthcare benefits, including specialized and advanced medical treatment, despite regularly contributing during their employment period. He urged the government to introduce necessary relaxations and special provisions, taking into account the seasonal nature of their work.
In addition, the MP demanded that ESIC dispensaries currently under the control of state governments be brought directly under the administration of the ESIC Corporation to ensure uniform standards of service, adequate staffing, and uninterrupted availability of medicines. He further emphasized the need to replace dispensaries functioning in rented buildings with ESIC-owned land and buildings, in order to improve infrastructure and enhance the quality of patient care.
Stressing that safeguarding workers’ health rights and strengthening the country’s social security framework is the need of the hour, Kodikunnil Suresh MP urged the Central Government to take urgent and decisive action on these issues.
