Public health is a State subject and the primary responsibility of ensuring availability of healthcare facilities including contractual employees lies with the respective State Governments. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) launched in 2018 provides Rs.5 lakh health coverage for secondary and tertiary health benefits to all workers including contractual employees who are covered as eligible beneficiaries as per deprivation and occupation criteria.

The Employees State Insurance (ESI) Act, 1948 is applicable to all factories (excluding seasonal factories) employing ten or more persons and the establishments notified by the appropriate government under Section 1(5) of the Act, located in ESI notified areas. Employees earning wages up to Rs21,000/- per month (Rs.25,000/- per month for persons with disability) in such ESI covered factories/establishments are coverable under the ESI Act. All ESIC facilities are available to the ESI covered employees including contractual employees in the ESI registered factories/establishments.

This information was given by Shri Rameswar Teli, Minister of State, Ministry of Labour & Employment in Lok Sabha today.

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BY/IG