World Day for Safety and Health at Work
Government Initiatives in India To Help Victims of Accidents at Workplace
Written by:
Arthi T
Every worker is entitled to a safe and healthy working environment. The World Day for Safety and Health at Work, commemorated annually on April 28, serves as a global initiative to advocate for safe workplaces, aiming to minimize work-related fatalities and injuries worldwide. Recognized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) for two decades, this event underscores the importance of ensuring the well-being of workers.
Government Schemes To Help Victims of Accidents at Workplace
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
Description
Premium payable
Who can apply?
Aid provided
How to apply
Description
The scheme is a one year cover Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, renewable from year to year, offering protection against death or disability due to accident.
Premium payable
Rs. 20 per annum per member.
Who can apply?
All individual (single or joint) account holders of participating banks / Post office, in the age group of 18 to 70 years are entitled to join. In case of multiple accounts held by an individual in one or different banks/ Post offices, the person is eligible to join the scheme through one bank / Post office account only.
Aid provided
Death: Rs. 2 Lakh
Total and Irrecoverable Loss:
- Loss of both eyes or loss of use of both hands or feet or loss of sight of one eye and loss of use of hand or foot: Rs. 2 Lakh
- Total and irrecoverable loss of sight of one eye or loss of use of one hand or foot: Rs. 1 Lakh
How to apply
The scheme is offered / administered through the Public Sector General Insurance Companies (PSGICs) and other general insurance companies willing to offer the product with necessary approvals on similar terms, in collaboration with participating Banks. Participating banks are free to engage any such general insurance company for implementing the scheme for their account holders/subscribers.
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY):
Description
Premium payable
Who can apply?
Aid provided
How to apply
Description
Although not specific to road accidents, PMJJBY is a government-backed life insurance scheme that provides financial coverage to the family of the insured in case of death due to any reason, including road accidents.
Premium payable
Annual premium of Rs.12/-.
Who can apply?
Any person within the age group of 18-70 years having a bank account can enroll for PMSBY.
Aid provided
PMSBY provides accidental death/disability insurance cover of Rs. 2 Lakhs.
How to apply
The scheme is offered/ administered through Insurance Companies both public sector and private in tie-up with scheduled commercial banks / Regional Rural Banks / Cooperative Banks concerned.
Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY)
Description
Premium payable
Who can apply?
Aid provided
How to apply
Additional information
Description
While primarily focused on providing health insurance to below-poverty-line families, RSBY can also offer coverage for medical expenses resulting from road accidents for eligible beneficiaries.This coverage includes hospitalization, emergency medical care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and other necessary treatments related to road accident injuries.
Premium payable
Annual premium is Rs. 30 per household
Who can apply?
- Belonging to a below-poverty-line (BPL) household as per government criteria.
- Possession of a valid BPL card or other supporting documents as proof of economic status.
- Not being covered under any other health insurance scheme provided by the central or state government.
- Meeting any additional criteria specified by the state government or local authorities.
- Once enrolled, beneficiaries receive a biometric-enabled smart card known as the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) card. This card serves as proof of insurance coverage and allows beneficiaries to avail themselves of cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Aid provided
- The unorganized sector worker and his family (unit of five) will be covered.
- Total sum insured would be Rs. 30,000/- per family per annum on a family floater basis.
- Cashless attendance to all covered ailments
- Hospitalization expenses, taking care of most common illnesses with as few exclusions as possible
- All pre-existing diseases to be covered
- Transportation costs (actual with maximum limit of Rs. 100 per visit) within an overall limit of Rs. 1000.
How to apply
- Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the RSBY scheme, typically targeting below poverty line (BPL) households.
- Visit the designated enrollment station in your village or locality as per the announced schedule.
- Carry necessary documents such as proof of identity, address, and BPL status.
- Provide biometric information (fingerprints) and photographs of household members at the enrollment station.
- Receive the RSBY smart card along with an information pamphlet describing the scheme and the list of hospitals.
- Get the smart card authenticated by the concerned government officer present at the enrollment station.
- Once the authentication is done, the enrollment process is completed, and you can start availing the benefits of the RSBY scheme.
Additional information
- RSBY provides the participating BPL household with freedom of choice between public and private hospitals and makes him a potential client worth attracting on account of the significant revenues that hospitals stand to earn through the scheme.
- Beneficiaries of RSBY get cashless benefit in any of the empanelled hospitals. They only need to carry their smart card and provide verification through their finger print. For participating providers it is a paperless scheme as they do not need to send all the papers related to treatment to the insurer. They send online claims to the insurer and get paid electronically.
Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme:
Description
Who can apply?
Aid provided
Description
The ESI Scheme is a social security and health insurance scheme for workers in India. It provides medical and cash benefits to insured workers and their dependents in the event of sickness, maternity, disability, or death due to employment injury. Both employees and employers contribute a specified percentage of wages. The rates are revised periodically. The scheme is self-financing, with contributions from employees and employers. Employees earning up to Rs. 176 a day are exempt from their share. State Governments contribute a portion of medical benefit expenditure. Employers must pay contributions within 15 days of the last day of the calendar month. Designated branches of banks receive payments on behalf of the Corporation. There are two contribution periods and corresponding benefit periods, each of six months duration.
Who can apply?
Under Section 2(12) of the Act, it applies to non-seasonal factories with 10 or more workers. Some states extend it to various sectors like shops, hotels, and educational institutions under Section 1(5).
Wage Limit
The current wage limit for coverage is Rs. 21,000 per month (Rs. 25,000 for Persons with Disability) since January 1, 2017.
Aid provided
Coverage Extension
State and Central Governments extend coverage to various sectors like shops, hotels, and transportation. The Central Government covers establishments with 20 or more employees.
Areas Covered
The ESI Scheme is notified in 611 districts across 36 states and Union Territories, excluding Lakshadweep Island.
Incentives
There are incentives for employers in the private sector providing regular employment to persons with disabilities, including the payment of employers’ contributions by the Central Government for 3 years.
Insurance Scheme for Beedi Workers and Cine Workers
Description
Premium payable
Who can apply?
Aid provided
Description
The Ministry of Labour and Employment offers an accident insurance scheme specifically for bidi workers, providing them with financial assistance in case of accidents resulting in disability or death.
Premium payable
The premium for this insurance scheme is typically paid from a designated fund, which may be contributed by various stakeholders such as employers, employees, government bodies, or other relevant entities.
The premium payment structure and funding mechanism may vary depending on the specific provisions of the scheme and the arrangements made by the administering authorities.
Who can apply?
- Beedi workers and cine workers who are actively engaged in their respective industries are typically eligible for this insurance scheme.
- Eligibility criteria may vary depending on the specific provisions of the scheme and the regulations applicable in each jurisdiction.
Aid provided
Natural Death Benefit: In the event of the insured individual’s natural death, the insurance scheme provides a claim amount of Rs. 10,000.
Accidental Death Benefit: If the insured individual’s death is due to an accident, the insurance scheme offers a higher claim amount of Rs. 25,000.
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