Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Initiatives:
In a significant step towards strengthening the social security framework and simplifying compliance for industries, the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) recently launched two major initiatives — SPREE-2025 and the AMNESTY Scheme-2025.
- The SPREE-2025 (Scheme for Promoting Registration of Employers and Employees) will remain operational till 31st December 2025.
- Under this scheme, industries and employees who are not yet associated with ESIC can register through the ESI Portal, Shram Suvidha Portal, and Company Affairs Portal without the demand of old dues.
- Employers registering under SPREE-2025 will be considered covered from the date of their registration or the date declared by them, and newly registered employees will start receiving ESI health and social security benefits from the date of registration
- The focus of this scheme is on voluntary compliance rather than punitive measures, as it seeks to reduce litigation, encourage formal registration, and foster a climate of mutual trust and cooperation between employers and employees.
- AMNESTY Scheme-2025 will be in effect from 1st October 2025 to 30th September 2026.
- This one-time dispute resolution initiative has been designed to settle issues related to damages, interest, and coverage under the ESI Act.
- The scheme seeks to provide employers with an opportunity to resolve pending disputes and strengthen compliance, thereby reducing the number of lawsuits and ensuring the smooth delivery of social security benefits to employees.
- Under the scheme, the regional directors have been empowered to withdraw cases where contributions and interest have been paid, and also to withdraw cases filed against insured persons over five years ago where no notices were issued.
