Mohali, Apr 16 (KNN) Mohali Industries Association (MIA) has demanded that the government should consider workers' absent from work on medical grounds should be entitled for sickness benefits. 

''Due to COVID-19, all workers are forced to remain absent from their duty following government's order. There is no fault of them and the same should be treated on medical grounds,'' said Jasbir Singh, Chairman, labour laws committee, MIA.

Citing ESI Act, Singh said that from April 1 to 30, workers will remain absent from their duties due to lockdown. As per the ESI Act, they are entitled for sickness benefits i.e. 50 per cent of their wages from ESIC, if their absenteeism is declared on medical grounds by the government.

He further said that there are nearly 3.5 crore insured workers registered under the ESI Act, 1948 in India. ESIC is paying 50 per cent wages to the insured workers, who is sick or absent from work by considering their absent on medical grounds as per section 46 (a) of the ESI, Act.

''We have already requested to our Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct the ESIC to pay 50 per cent wages to the insured workers covered under the ESIC scheme for the lockdown period,'' Singh asserted.

ESIC has to make no amendments in the ESIC scheme to disburse the 50 per cent of wages to insured workers for the month of April,2020, he said.