Labour Ministry has notified 50% unemployment benefit to ESIC subscribers
The Labour Ministry has notified enhanced payout under the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana, paving way for 50% unemployment benefit to the subscribers of the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme with relaxed eligibility conditions up till December 31, 2020. The move will benefit formal workers, enrolled under ESIC, who would have lost jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic which led to the lockdown of industries and establishments in April and May.
“The Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana, under the aegis of ESIC, provides for unemployment allowance, has been extended by another year to June 30, 2021, said ESIC. It also added that the scheme would be available with original from January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021.”
According to the government estimates, the scheme is estimated to benefit 41,94,176 subscribers who are eligible under the revised criteria.
“In exercise of the powers conferred upon it under sub-section (1) of section 97 of the Employees’ State Insurance Act 1948 (34 of 1948), the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation hereby notify the extension of the scheme Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana for the period July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, with relaxation in following eligibility conditions for availing relief under the scheme during the period March 21, 2020, to December 31, 2020,” it said in the notification.
According to the notification, ESIC vide notification No. E-13/12/9/2020-P.R., relief to the extent of 50 per cent of the average per day earning during the previous four contribution periods to be paid up to a maximum of 90 days of unemployment as against 25 per cent earlier.
Also, the insured person should have been in insurable employment for a minimum period of 2 years immediately before his/her unemployment and should have contributed for not less than 78 days in the contribution period immediately preceding to unemployment and minimum 78 days in one of the remaining 3 contribution periods in 02 years prior to unemployment, the notification said.
Further, the claim shall be due 30 days after the date of unemployment as against 90 days earlier and the claim can be submitted online after which the payment shall be made in the bank account of the IP within 15 days from the receipt of the duly completed claim.
The scheme Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana will be available with original eligibility conditions for the IPs who became unemployed on or before March 23, 2020 and on or after January 1, 2021.
