SPREE Scheme

Prelims : Polity and governance | Current events of national and international importance

Why in news?

Recently, Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the relaunch of SPREE Scheme in the 196^th ESIC meeting in Shimla.

SPREE – Scheme to Promote Registration of Employers/Employees
Launched in – Originally launched in 2016 by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).
Aim – It aims to bring unregistered employers and left-out workers under the ESI Act.
Relaunch – Part of a broader ESIC drive to improve compliance, expand coverage, and reduce litigation.
Relaunch period – July 1 to December 31, 2025.
Beneficiaries – Unregistered employers and informal sector workers, including,
- Temporary staff
- Contractual employees
Those enrolling during the window are considered covered from their stated or actual registration date.

Other Major ESIC Decisions

Amnesty scheme 2025 – It is a limited-time opportunity that offers employers an opportunity to settle long-standing disputes and avoid litigation.
It is active from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.
It includes cases involving interest and damages.
Regional Directors empowered to withdraw cases where dues are cleared.
Job loss claims relaxation – ESIC Director General can grant relaxations for late claims under the Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana.

The Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana (RGSKY) is an unemployment allowance scheme launched by the ESIC in 2005.

Revised AYUSH Policy – Integration of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy into ESI hospitals.
Healthcare in underserved areas – Pilot project to partner with charitable hospitals in remote districts.

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