Scope of Social Security to Expand with SPREE-2025 and AMNESTY Scheme

IN NEWS:

Scope of Social Security to Expand with SPREE-2025 and AMNESTY Scheme

ANALYSIS:

• The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has launched two new initiatives — SPREE-2025 and the AMNESTY Scheme-2025 — to strengthen India’s social security framework and simplify compliance for industries.
• The announcement was made by Shri Sunil Yadav, Director (In-charge), ESIC Sub-Regional Office, Gurugram, at a press conference held at the PWD Rest House, Gurugram.
• Both schemes aim to expand social security coverage, promote voluntary compliance, and reduce litigation burdens for employers.

SPREE-2025 (Scheme for Promoting Registration of Employers and Employees):

• The scheme will be operational till 31st December 2025.
• It enables industries and workers not yet covered under ESIC to register through multiple online portals, including:
  • ESI Portal
  • Shram Suvidha Portal
  • Company Affairs Portal
• Registration under SPREE-2025 does not require payment of old dues.
• Employers registering under the scheme will be covered from the date of registration or the declared date, while employees will begin receiving ESI benefits immediately.
• The focus is on voluntary compliance rather than penalties, to encourage trust-based industrial relations and formal registration in the workforce.

AMNESTY Scheme-2025:

• Will be effective from 1st October 2025 to 30th September 2026.
• Designed as a one-time dispute resolution initiative under the Employees’ State Insurance Act (ESI Act).
• Seeks to settle disputesrelated to:
  • Damages and interest
  • Coverage and compliance
• Provides employers an opportunity to resolve pending cases, avoid prolonged litigation, and strengthen compliance mechanisms.
• Expected to improve delivery of social security benefits to workers by streamlining administration.

Stakeholder Response:

• Representatives from industrial organisations welcomed the schemes, noting that they will benefit both small and large industries.
• Enhanced ease of registration will enable employees to access health and social security benefits more conveniently.
• Senior officials including Shri Sachin Singh (Deputy Director), Dr. Sweety Yadav (PRO), and Shri Kamlender Kumar (Assistant Director) were also present at the press event.

Significance:

• The twin initiatives reaffirm the Government’s commitmentto:
  • Expanding social security coverage
  • Promoting ease of doing business through compliance simplification
  • Enhancing worker welfare and industrial harmony across sectors

STATIC PART / BACKGROUND:

• ESIC (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation):
  • A statutory body established under the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948.
  • Functions under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
  • Provides medical, cash, maternity, disability, and dependent benefits to insured workers.
• Objective:
  • To provide comprehensive social protection to workers and their families during sickness, injury, or unemployment.
• ESI Coverage:
  • Applies to all establishments employing 10 or more persons, where employees earn wages up to a prescribed limit (currently ₹21,000 per month in most cases).
• Significance of Amnesty and Registration Drives:
  • Encourage formalisation of employment, reduce informal sector vulnerability, and increase social security inclusivity.

Updated – 09 Sep 2025 ; 05:43 PM | PIB

News Source:PIB Delhi