Health Check-Up Programme Launched for Workers Above 40 Under ESIC Welfare Push

The Minister emphasised that treatment and medicines identified during screening camps would also be provided through ESIC healthcare facilities.

Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya announces free yearly screenings for workers as India expands labour welfare and social security coverage

In a significant move aimed at strengthening occupational healthcare and expanding worker welfare across India, the Government has launched a nationwide Annual Health Check-Up Initiative for all workers aged 40 years and above under the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) framework.

The initiative was formally launched today by Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, at ESIC Medical College & Hospital in Basaidarapur, Delhi, in what officials described as a major milestone in India's evolving labour welfare and social security ecosystem.

The programme seeks to provide free annual preventive health screenings to millions of workers across the country, with the Government emphasising early disease detection, improved healthcare access, and long-term social protection for India's workforce.

Government Positions Workers' Welfare at Centre of Labour Reforms

Addressing workers, officials, and healthcare representatives during the launch event, Dr. Mandaviya described the occasion as a tribute to India's "Shram Shakti" — the nation's labour force — and reiterated the Government's commitment to ensuring dignity, healthcare, and social security for workers.

He stated that the implementation of the four Labour Codes reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of comprehensive labour reforms designed to modernise workplace protections while extending welfare benefits to broader sections of the workforce.

"The Government is committed to strengthening social security coverage for all workers," Dr. Mandaviya said.

The Minister highlighted that over the last 12 years, the Government has focused on empowering both "Shram Shakti" and "Yuva Shakti" through employment generation initiatives, labour reforms, and welfare schemes aimed at improving economic security and healthcare access.

Social Security Coverage Expands to 94 Crore Beneficiaries

One of the key highlights of the event was the Government's emphasis on the rapid expansion of India's social security net over the past decade.

According to Dr. Mandaviya:

• social security coverage has increased from around 30 crore people a decade ago to nearly 94 crore beneficiaries today

• overall coverage has expanded from 19 percent of the population to approximately 64 percent

• ESIC coverage alone has grown from nearly 7 crore beneficiaries to around 15 crore beneficiaries

Officials described the expansion as one of the largest social protection growth efforts undertaken globally in recent years.

The Government has increasingly focused on integrating healthcare, insurance, welfare, and employment protections under a broader labour reform agenda aimed at formalising workforce protections across sectors.

Free Annual Health Screenings for Workers Above 40

At the core of the new initiative is the introduction of free annual health check-ups for all workers above the age of 40 covered under the ESIC system.

The nationwide programme is expected to provide preventive healthcare screening services across ESIC hospitals and affiliated facilities throughout India.

Dr. Mandaviya said the initiative is intended to improve early diagnosis and treatment of serious health conditions that often remain undetected among workers.

The screenings are expected to focus on identifying:

• cardiovascular diseases

• diabetes

• hypertension

• occupational illnesses

• respiratory conditions

• lifestyle-related disorders

• age-related health risks

The Minister emphasised that treatment and medicines identified during screening camps would also be provided through ESIC healthcare facilities.

Health experts have increasingly stressed the importance of preventive occupational healthcare in India, particularly as the country's workforce ages and non-communicable diseases continue to rise.

Officials believe regular screenings could reduce long-term healthcare burdens while improving productivity and quality of life for workers.

Labour Codes Introduce Major Worker-Centric Reforms

Dr. Mandaviya also highlighted several major provisions introduced under the new Labour Codes, which aim to modernise India's labour laws and expand worker protections.

Among the key reforms highlighted were:

• equal wages for male and female workers

• increase in maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks

• inclusion of work-from-home provisions for women workers

• expanded healthcare and welfare coverage

• improved occupational safety protections

The Minister said the reforms are intended to create a more inclusive and equitable labour environment while balancing economic growth and worker welfare.

Gig and Platform Workers Brought Into Social Security Framework

One of the most notable aspects of the Government's labour reform agenda has been the inclusion of gig and platform workers within social security frameworks.

Dr. Mandaviya stated that while many countries are still debating mechanisms for extending welfare protections to gig workers, India has already incorporated such provisions within the new Labour Codes.

This could potentially impact millions of workers engaged in:

• app-based transportation services

• food delivery platforms

• digital marketplaces

• freelance services

• platform-based employment sectors

The inclusion is being viewed as a major structural shift in India's labour policy as the gig economy continues expanding rapidly.

Hazardous Occupations and Small Establishments Included

The Minister also announced that workers engaged in hazardous occupations and employees working in establishments with fewer than 10 workers are now being brought under ESIC coverage.

Traditionally, many small establishments and informal workers remained outside formal healthcare and insurance systems.

The expansion of ESIC coverage is expected to significantly increase access to:

• medical care

• insurance benefits

• sickness compensation

• maternity benefits

• disability support

• occupational healthcare services

Labour policy analysts say extending welfare coverage to smaller workplaces could have a substantial impact on improving conditions in India's largely informal workforce sector.

Nationwide Rollout Across ESIC Hospitals

The launch event in Delhi was simultaneously observed across 11 additional ESIC hospital locations nationwide.

The events were attended by:

• State Labour Ministers

• Members of Parliament

• Members of Legislative Assemblies

• senior ESIC officials

• employers' representatives

• worker organisations

• healthcare administrators

Among those present at the Delhi event were:

• Shri Kapil Mishra, Minister of Law & Justice, Labour, Employment, Development, Art, Culture & Language, Tourism, Government of NCT Delhi

• Shri Ashok Kumar Singh, Director General, ESIC

Officials said the nationwide rollout demonstrates the Government's intention to institutionalise preventive occupational healthcare as a regular component of worker welfare policy.

India Expanding Worker Welfare Amid Economic Growth

The initiative comes as India continues balancing rapid economic growth with expanding labour protections and healthcare access.

With India's workforce remaining one of the largest globally, policymakers are increasingly focusing on strengthening:

• occupational health systems

• formal social security coverage

• labour protections

• healthcare accessibility

• welfare delivery mechanisms

The Government argues that stronger worker welfare frameworks are essential to sustaining productivity, economic resilience, and inclusive growth.

Experts say preventive health screening initiatives such as the ESIC annual check-up programme could become increasingly important as India faces rising healthcare demands linked to ageing workers, urbanisation, and changing disease patterns.

The annual health screening programme is expected to be rolled out progressively through ESIC healthcare infrastructure nationwide in the coming months.