ESI maternity benefits are a comprehensive and generous scheme that provides a number of benefits to insured women. These benefits include medical benefits for pre-natal, natal, and post-natal care, cash benefits equal to 100% of the insured woman's average daily wages for a period of up to 26 weeks, confinement expenses of up to Rs. 5,000 per confinement, and leave for up to 12 weeks for commissioning mothers and adopting mothers.
Importance of Maternity Benefits
Maternity benefits are essential for the health and well-being of mothers and their children. They provide financial support to mothers during their maternity leave, allowing them to focus on their recovery and the care of their newborn. Maternity benefits also help to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity, and improve child survival and development.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), all women have the right to safe and respectful maternity care. This includes access to quality prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care, as well as maternity benefits.
Benefits Provided Under ESI
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is a social security organization in India that provides a range of benefits to its members, including maternity benefits. ESI maternity benefits are available to insured women who have worked for at least 70 days in the 6 months preceding their maternity leave.
The following maternity benefits are available under ESI:
- Maternity leave: ESI provides maternity leave of up to 26 weeks, of which not more than 8 weeks can precede the expected date of confinement.
- Maternity benefit: ESI pays maternity benefit at the rate of 100% of the insured woman’s average daily wages for the entire period of maternity leave.
- Medical expenses: ESI covers the medical expenses incurred by the insured woman during her pregnancy, confinement, and postpartum period. This includes the cost of prenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care.
- Confinement expenses: ESI provides a lump sum confinement expense of Rs. 5,000 to insured women who give birth outside of an ESI hospital.
- Nursing allowance: ESI provides a nursing allowance of Rs. 50 per month for up to 6 months to insured women who are breastfeeding their babies.
- Medical care: ESI provides medical care to its members and their families. This includes preventive care, curative care, and specialist care.
- Sickness benefit: ESI pays sickness benefits to its members who are unable to work due to illness or injury.
- Disablement benefit: ESI pays disablement benefit to its members who are permanently disabled due to illness or injury.
- Dependent benefit: ESI pays dependent benefit to the dependents of its members who die due to illness or injury.
Comparison With Other Schemes or Policies
The following table compares the maternity benefits provided under ESI with other schemes or policies in India:
| Scheme or policy | Maternity leave | Maternity benefit | Medical expenses | Confinement expenses | Nursing allowance |
| ESI | Up to 26 weeks | 100% of average daily wages | Covered | Rs. 5,000 | Rs. 50 per month for up to 6 months |
| Maternity Benefit Act | Up to 12 weeks | 100% of average daily wages for up to 6 weeks, and 50% of average daily wages for the remaining 6 weeks | Covered | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Central Government Employees (Leave Rules) | Up to 180 days (6 months) | 100% of basic pay and dearness allowance | Covered | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Private sector companies | Varies depending on the company’s policy | Varies depending on the company’s policy | Varies depending on the company’s policy | Varies depending on the company’s policy | Varies depending on the company’s policy |
How to Claim ESI Maternity Benefits
To claim ESI maternity benefits, the insured woman must submit the following documents to her employer:
- Form 17: Application for maternity benefit
- Form 18: Medical certificate from an ESI doctor
- Form 20: Certificate from an ESI doctor confirming the date of confinement
- Form 21: Certificate from an ESI doctor confirming the fitness of the mother to resume work
The employer will then forward the documents to the ESI branch office. The ESI branch office will process the claim and pay the maternity benefit to the insured woman.
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Conclusion
The ESI maternity benefits scheme is a comprehensive and generous scheme that provides a number of benefits to insured women. It is one of the best maternity benefits schemes in India and is comparable to maternity benefits schemes in other developed countries.
Also Read
- Why ESI Registration Mandatory?
- Process Required For ESI Registration
- Latest News About the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) In India
