Q. What is the employee welfare policy in India?
Employee welfare policies in India provide financial and social security through schemes like Provident Fund, Employee State Insurance (ESI), gratuity, maternity benefits, and workplace injury compensation to support workers.
Q. What are the main social security laws in India?
The key social security laws in India include:
- Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (Managed by ESIC – Employees' State Insurance Corporation)
- Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (Managed by EPFO – Employees' Provident Fund Organization)
- Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (Regulated by the Ministry of Labour & Employment)
- Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (Ensures paid maternity leave and benefits)
- Employees' Compensation Act, 1923 (Covers compensation for workplace injuries)
Q. Who is eligible for benefits under the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948?
Employees earning up to ₹21,000 per month (₹25,000 for persons with disabilities) working in establishments with 10 or more workers are eligible for medical, maternity, disability, and dependent benefits under ESIC (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation).
Q. Are gig and platform workers eligible for social security in India?
The Code on Social Security, 2020 includes gig and platform workers under pension, health insurance, life and disability cover, and maternity benefits, but implementation depends on state governments and welfare schemes.
Q. What maternity benefits are provided under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961?
Women are entitled to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, a medical bonus, job protection, and nursing breaks post-delivery in establishments with 10 or more employees.
Read more: What is Maternity Leave?
Q. What are the maternity leave entitlements for women working in private companies in India?
Women working in private companies are entitled to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave for their first two children and 12 weeks for any subsequent child, as per the Maternity Benefit Act, of 1961.
Q. Who is eligible for maternity leave under Indian labor laws?
A woman must have worked for at least 80 days in the past 12 months in an establishment with 10 or more employees to be eligible for maternity leave benefits.
Q. Can private companies deny maternity leave or reduce the benefits?
No, maternity leave is a legal right under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, and private companies cannot deny or reduce these benefits unless the employee fails to meet the eligibility criteria.
Q. What steps can an employee take if their employer fails to deposit provident fund contributions in India?
Employees can:
- File a complaint with EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organization)
- Report non-compliance through the EPFiGMS (EPFO Grievance Management System) portal
- Approach the labor court to recover unpaid PF contributions from the employer
