Employee State Insurance (ESI) in West Bengal
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Indian central (Union) law — Constitution of India, central Acts of Parliament, and Supreme Court decisions. State-level information reflects each state's own Acts and High Court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
The ESI scheme provides health insurance and cash benefits to workers in the organised sector.
- Coverage: Employees earning up to ₹21,000/month (₹25,000 for persons with disabilities) in establishments with 10 or more workers (manufacturing) or 20+ workers (other).
- Contributions: Employee contributes 0.75% of wages; employer contributes 3.25% of wages. Employees earning below ₹137/day are exempt from the employee contribution.
- Benefits include:
- Free medical care at ESI dispensaries and hospitals for the insured and family.
- Sickness benefit: 70% of daily wages for up to 91 days during certified illness.
- Maternity benefit: 100% of average daily wages for 26 weeks (for the first two children).
- Disablement benefit: Periodic payments for temporary or permanent disability due to employment injury.
- Dependant's benefit: Periodic payments to family if the insured dies due to an employment injury.
When does it apply?
- You are employed in a covered establishment and earn up to ₹21,000/month (₹25,000 for PWD).
- You or a family member need medical treatment and you are an ESI insured person.
- You are unable to work due to illness, maternity, or a work-related injury.
What to Do If Your Employer in India Has Not Registered You Under ESI
- Obtain your ESI card (Pehchaan Card) from your employer or the ESI branch office — this is your identity document for accessing ESI medical facilities.
- For sickness benefit, obtain a sickness certificate from an authorised ESIC medical officer and submit it to your employer and the ESI branch office within the specified period.
- If your employer has not registered you under ESI despite being covered, file a complaint at the nearest ESI Regional/Sub-Regional office or via the ESIC grievance portal (esic.in).
- Disputes about benefits can be raised before the Employees' Insurance Court (s. 74, ESI Act) — no court fee is required.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not delay obtaining your ESI card — without it, accessing ESI hospitals in emergencies becomes difficult.
- Do not submit a sickness certificate after the prescribed period without a valid reason — late submission can result in benefit reduction.
- Do not use your ESI entitlement at private hospitals unless it is a genuine emergency — ESIC only reimburses private treatment under defined conditions.
How West Bengal differs from central law
ESI coverage in West Bengal extends to all implemented areas including Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas, Burdwan, Asansol-Durgapur, and Siliguri. Employees earning up to Rs. 21,000 per month in establishments with 10 or more employees are covered under the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948.
ESIC operates hospitals and dispensaries across West Bengal, including the ESIC Hospital in Joka (Kolkata), Maniktala, Belgachia, and dispensaries in industrial areas. West Bengal has extended ESI coverage to construction workers and certain categories of informal workers through state-level notifications under the Building and Other Construction Workers Act.
The West Bengal Shops and Establishments Act, 1963 requires covered establishments to register with ESIC if they meet the employee threshold. The state also has the West Bengal Employees' State Insurance (Medical Benefit) Rules that govern the administration of ESI medical facilities in the state.
Additional Steps in West Bengal
To locate your nearest ESIC dispensary or hospital in West Bengal, visit esic.gov.in. For grievances, contact the ESIC Regional Office, Kolkata at 5/1 Grant Lane, Kolkata 700012 (phone: 033-22410270). You can also use the ESIC Umang app to check your IP status and locate hospitals. Tea garden workers in North Bengal should check coverage through the plantation-specific ESI dispensaries.
Relevant Law: Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948; West Bengal Shops and Establishments Act, 1963; West Bengal Employees' State Insurance (Medical Benefit) Rules
Common Questions
When does employee state insurance (esi) apply?
You are employed in a covered establishment and earn up to ₹21,000/month (₹25,000 for PWD).You or a family member need medical treatment and you are an ESI insured person.You are unable to work due to illness, maternity, or a work-related injury.
What should I do if my employer in India has not registered me under the ESI scheme?
Obtain your ESI card (Pehchaan Card) from your employer or the ESI branch office — this is your identity document for accessing ESI medical facilities.For sickness benefit, obtain a sickness certificate from an authorised ESIC medical officer and submit it to your employer and the ESI branch office within the specified period.If your employer has not registered you under ESI despite being covered, file a complaint at the nearest ESI Regional/Sub-Regional office or via the ESIC grievance portal (esic.in).Disputes about benefits can be raised before the Employees' Insurance Court (s. 74, ESI Act...
What mistakes should I avoid with employee state insurance (esi)?
Do not delay obtaining your ESI card — without it, accessing ESI hospitals in emergencies becomes difficult.Do not submit a sickness certificate after the prescribed period without a valid reason — late submission can result in benefit reduction.Do not use your ESI entitlement at private hospitals unless it is a genuine emergency — ESIC only reimburses private treatment under defined conditions.
Employee State Insurance (ESI) in other states
Same topic, different jurisdiction. Pick the one that applies to you.