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In a major effort to increase social security coverage, the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has reactivated the SPREE scheme and provided a huge window of opportunity for excluded workers and unregistered workers to access medical benefits under the ESI Act. The move was taken after the 196th ESIC meeting chaired by Union Labour Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya in Shimla on June 27, 2025.
Key Highlights
SPREE Scheme Reopened: Excluded workers—contract and temporary employees—and unregistered employers from July 1 to December 31, 2025, can voluntarily register under the ESI Act and avail full medical benefits.
Voluntary Compliance Focus: The scheme focuses on voluntary registration rather than penal action to the end of limiting litigation, encouraging formalization, and encouraging goodwill among employees and employers.
Coverage Details: The employers who enroll within the window period shall be covered from the date of registration or as provided, whereas the employees shall be covered from their own registration dates.
Amnesty Scheme 2025: Effective between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026, the amnesty is a one-time chance for employers to settle long-pending cases, such as damages and interest cases, out of court—once more reducing legal burdens.
Dispute Resolution: Regional Directors may withdraw paid-up cases and close pending cases against insured persons which are older than five years without notice.
Healthcare Expansion: ESIC approved a new AYUSH policy to include Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy in its healthcare system, and started a pilot program to partner with charitable hospitals in rural and under-served areas to provide quality, affordable care.
High-Level Representation: MPs, state government officials, employee and employer associations, and senior Ministry of Labour & Employment officials participated in the 196th ESIC meeting.
This new push is expected to put lakhs of contract and casual labourers under the ESI, granting them quality health care and social security and easing compliance for employers and ending court case pendency.
Source: The Hindu Business Line, Rediff Money, PIB, Times of India
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