In a joint effort between the Labour Department, Employees’ State Insurance
Corporation (ESIC), and Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), an Awareness
cum Medical Health Camp was conducted at the Chuchuyimlang Senso Telongjem
Fellowship Hall in Penli Ward, Mokokchung. The event was chaired by Talitemjen Ao,
Senior Labour Inspector from the ALC office in Mokokchung. Zaremo Kikon, Assistant Labour Commissioner in Kohima, delivered the introductory speech, and Chumlamo Humtsoe, Additional Deputy Commissioner in Mokokchung shared a short speech.
A presentation on the benefits of the Employees State Insurance (ESI) and the role
and responsibilities of employers in enrolling their employees was given by Khankhanmung
Guite, Branch Manager of ESIC office in Dimapur, Nagaland. He explained that ESI is a
social security Health Insurance Scheme under the Ministry of Labour & Employment,
administered by the ESI Corporation. This scheme is applicable to factories and other
establishments with 10 or more employees whose salary is Rs. 21,000 or less. ESI is financed
through contributions from both employers and employees at rates of 3.25% and 0.75%, respectively. The benefits include Medical Benefits for insured individuals, their spouses, and
dependents, as well as Sickness Benefits, Disablement Benefits, Dependent Benefits, and
Maternity Benefit. Guite also stressed that employers not registered with the scheme could
face penalties, including interest and damages, in addition to mandatory contributions
retrospectively. Establishments were encouraged to register with the scheme promptly, and it
was noted that registration can be done through the Shram Suvidha Portal.
A presentation on the Employees Provident Fund (EPFO) was delivered by Rohit
Singh, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner in Nagaland. He emphasized the compulsory
registration for organizations with 20 or more employees earning a monthly salary of Rs.
15,000 or less. Organizations with fewer than 20 employees can also voluntarily register
under EPFO. The contributory rate under EPFO stands at 12% for both employees and
employers. Three different schemes under EPFO were highlighted: Employees Provident
Fund, Employees’ Pension Scheme, and Employee Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme.
The program primarily targeted coverable establishments located in Mokokchung
Headquarters, and in addition to the awareness program, free medical check-ups were
provided to all attendees.
