Explained: New benefits for families of Employees Provident Fund and ESIC subscribers amid Covid-19

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With the intention to present aid to staff amid Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has introduced extra advantages for households of insured individuals lined beneath the ESIC and EPFO’s EDLI schemes. The Authorities has determined to offer pension to dependents of insured individuals, lined beneath the ESIC scheme, who died attributable to COVID-19. A hike in most sum assured beneath the Staff’ Deposit Linked Insurance coverage Scheme (EDLI) beneath EPFO to Rs 7 lakh from Rs 6 lakh has additionally been introduced.

“The Ministry of Labour and Employment has introduced extra advantages for staff via ESIC and EPFO schemes to handle the concern and nervousness of staff about well-being of their members of the family attributable to enhance in incidences of loss of life attributable to COVID -19 pandemic. Enhanced social safety is sought to be supplied to the employees with none extra price to the employer,” the Ministry of Labour and Employment mentioned in a press release.

Who will profit?

“The extra social safety advantages introduced by Authorities can be found for many who are lined beneath the Worker’ State Insurance coverage Act 1948 (ESI Act) and Staff’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (EPF Act). Staff whose month-to-month wages don’t exceed Rs 21,000 are eligible to be lined beneath the ESI Act; month-to-month wage not exceeding Rs 15000 makes an worker eligible for protection (until already lined earlier than month-to-month wage exceeded Rs 15000 and has not withdrawn membership) beneath EPFO,” mentioned Pooja Ramchandani, Associate, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.

What’s new for insured individuals beneath ESIC?

After loss of life or disablement of the insured individuals (IPs) beneath ESIC attributable to employment damage, a pension equal to 90 per cent of common each day wage drawn by the employee is accessible to the partner and widowed mom for all times lengthy and for youngsters until they attain the age of 25 years. For the feminine baby, this profit is accessible until her marriage.

The contribution to the ESIC fund is made by each employer and worker to avail the illness and loss of life advantages prescribed beneath the ESI Act. The Authorities has expanded the scope of availing dependent advantages to incorporate covid deaths.”

“Now, the dependent profit has been prolonged for loss of life attributable to covid topic to the circumstances that the insured individual has been registered on the ESIC portal three months previous to analysis of covid and contributions for not less than 78 days has been paid or payable throughout one 12 months previous the analysis,” mentioned Ramchandani.

The above announcement will probably be efficient for 2 years from twenty fourth March 2020.

Profit beneath EPFO

In line with the foundations of EPFO’s Staff’ Deposit Linked Insurance coverage (EDLI) Scheme, all surviving dependent members of the family of the members are eligible to avail advantages of EDLI in case of loss of life in harness of the member. At the moment, the advantages prolonged in case of loss of life of a employee aren’t any requirement of minimal service for cost of Gratuity, household pension is paid as per provisions beneath EPF & MP Act. Illness good thing about 70 per cent of wages for 91 days in a 12 months is paid if the employee falls sick and fail to attend workplace.

By means of a notification, the quantity of most profit has been elevated from Rs 6 lakhs to Rs 7 lakhs to the members of the family of the deceased worker lined beneath EDLI. A minimal assurance good thing about Rs 2.5 lakh has been supplied to eligible members of the family of deceased worker, who was a member for a steady interval of 12 months in a number of institutions previous his loss of life rather than present provision of steady employment in the identical institution for 12 months.

“The insurance coverage profit beneath the Staff’ Deposit-Linked Insurance coverage Scheme framed beneath the EPF Act was elevated to Rs 7 lakh from Rs 6 lakh, to be availed by households of members who succumbed to covid. It is a useful change not solely due to enhance within the quantum of profit but additionally as a result of it may be availed regardless of change in employment, thereby will render monetary help to the households of the deceased member,” mentioned Ramchandani.

“Nevertheless, for many who will not be lined beneath ESI Act and EPF Act and haven’t any different means of economic help, their plight continues,” she added.