ESIC Relaunches SPREE & Introduces Amnesty Scheme 2025 to Boost Compliance

In a landmark decision to improve social security coverage and reduce legal disputes, the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has announced the relaunch of the SPREE scheme (Scheme to Promote Registration of Employers/Employees) from July 1 to December 31, 2025. Simultaneously, it has introduced the Amnesty Scheme – 2025, a one-time dispute resolution window running from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. These initiatives aim to boost formal registrations, ensure better healthcare access, and foster voluntary compliance under the ESI Act.

Why in News?

The 196th meeting of ESIC was held in Shimla and chaired by Union Labour & Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Key decisions included re-opening registrations under the ESI Act and resolving long-pending disputes to promote voluntary participation and reduce litigation. The announcement also reflects the government’s emphasis on worker welfare, healthcare expansion, and social security integration.

Key Highlights and Decisions

SPREE Relaunched (July–Dec 2025)

• One-time opportunity for unregistered employers and left-out workers.
• Employers registering will be covered from the declared date.
• Employees will be covered from the date of registration.
• Emphasis on voluntary compliance, not penalization.

Amnesty Scheme – 2025 (Oct 2025–Sept 2026)

• Aimed at reducing litigation and promoting ESI Act compliance.
• Covers disputes involving damages, interest, and coverage issues.

Regional Directors can withdraw cases,

• If contributions and interest have been paid.
• If cases were filed against insured persons over 5 years ago without any further notices.

Other Major Approvals: RGSKY Scheme Flexibility: Power delegated to the Director General of ESIC to relax 12-month submission limits on job loss-related applications.

Revised AYUSH Policy

• Focuses on integrating Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy into the ESIC network.
• Promotes holistic and wellness-based healthcare.

Pilot Project with Charitable Hospitals

• Aims to improve healthcare access in underserved areas.
• Hospitals will provide full care — from OPD to emergency services.

Objectives & Significance

• Promote Formalisation: Encourages employers and workers to formally enter the ESIC system.
• Ease Litigation Burden: Offers dispute resolution without lengthy legal procedures.
• Improve Healthcare Coverage: Focus on both modern and traditional systems of medicine.
• Enhance Social Security Access: Targets left-out beneficiaries in remote and underserved locations.
• Boost Trust: Reinforces the government’s pro-worker and pro-employer approach.

Background/Static Information

• ESIC: A statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, formed under the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948.
• Coverage: Provides medical, sickness, maternity, and disability benefits to registered workers.
• RGSKY: Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana — provides unemployment allowance and benefits to laid-off insured persons.