MSME worker's health deteriorates as Mohali ESIC denies insurance claim to the worker

New Delhi, Apr 12 (KNN) Employees' State Insurance Corporation Mohali continues to be in negative light as the Mohali Industries association accuses ESIC of denying the insurance support to another MSME worker Vipon Kumar.

Talking to KNN, Jasbir Singh, Chairman, Labour laws committee, Mohali Industries association (MIA) said “Vipon was recently diagnosed with heart problem and was advised heart bypass surgery which would incur him an expenditure of Rs 1,25,000. Vipon is insured under ESIC scheme and is eligible for cashless treatment from day one, but his case was arbitrarily rejected by ESIC saying that the worker should have worked for at least two years, whereas there is no mention of this clause in their policy.

Considering the poor health condition of the worker, the MIA is going to take up Vipon’s medical expenses. “Vipon’s health is getting worse day by day, we can’t wait for the courts verdict, as of now we are going to get the surgery done, we will claim the amount from ESIC in the court later” Jasbir added

Jasbir Singh who have been fighting the legal battle on behalf of the workers said “This is not the first instance in which ESIC is harassing the insured worker, they have been doing it since many years as they know it is difficult for the poor worker to fight the court case, I have fought more than 200 workers cases myself”

Explaining the gravity of the problem Jasbir added ”The poor workers’ pay ESIC from their hard earned wages every month with hopes that they will be provided medical treatment support, but the indifferent attitude of ESIC officers add to the suffering of the workers.

The ESIC hospitals are in pathetic state, when the workers approach other hospitals the ESIC harasses the workers and force them to incur expenditures from their own pockets, and they have to wait for their reimbursement for years together, this is totally contrary to what the ESIC scheme claims to provide that is to provide free, full medical facilities to insured persons and their dependents.”

Jasbir mentioned that his association has approached the Chief Minister and other cabinet ministers at the centre, they promised action against ESIC, but nothing has happened so far. (KNN/ DA)