Government Announces Social Security Measures To Family Of Workers Dying Of Covid

Insured persons must have been registered on ESIC portal at least three months prior to Covid diagnosis and subsequent death, to avail benefits.

Keeping in mind the rising number of deaths in the country owing to Corona virus pandemic, the Ministry of Labour and Employment on Sunday announced additional benefits for family of workers through Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) schemes, who have died due to the infection.  These measures, official sources said, will address the concerns of families of those workers who have died due to Covid, and help them tide over financial difficulties. Announcing a slew of amendments, the Labour Ministry said that enhanced social security is sought to be provided to workers without any additional cost to the employer. Currently for the insured persons under ESIC, after death or disablement due to employment injury, a pension equivalent to 90 per cent of average daily wage drawn by the worker is made available to the spouse and widowed mother for whole life and for children till they attain the age of 25 years. For the female child, the benefit is available till her marriage.