Employers and Employees’ (SPREE-2025)—to encourage employers to voluntarily register themselves and their workers with the Employees' State Insurance Corporation. This special initiative aims to expand social security coverage under the ESI Act.
In a press conference held in Chennai on 05 August 2025, Shri A. Venu Gopal, Regional Director of the Employees' State Insurance Corporation, highlighted the benefits of this scheme. He stated that under this special scheme, which runs from July 1 to December 31, 2025, 1013 establishments have so far registered more than 2000 employees.
He mentioned that Tamil Nadu ranks second in the country for ESI coverage with 43.77 lakh insured workers, after Maharashtra. He also informed that children of these insured workers are provided with reservations in the management quota of ESI medical colleges through the NEET exam.
He further stated that under the ESI Act, workers in factories, MSMEs with a minimum of 10 employees, as well as those in restaurants, theaters, road transport, educational institutions, and the newspaper organisations, will receive medical, monetary and social security benefits, maternity leave, and more.
The Director explained that the entire registration process is carried out online, making it hassle free and quick. He added that it is 100% digital and transparent, allowing employers to choose their own registration date. He also noted that there will be no penalty for establishments that have not registered until now.
He informed that there are 8 ESIC hospitals currently functioning in Tamil Nadu, with 3 of them under the Central Government, along with 214 dispensaries. He added that the construction of ESI hospitals in Thoothukudi and Sriperumbudur is in its final stages and they will be ready for functioning by the end of this year. He also mentioned that the land acquisition for the construction of 4 more ESI hospitals in Erode, Dindigul, Nagercoil, and Chengalpattu has commenced.
He expressed his confidence that many more companies would register by the scheme's end date of December 31, 2025. Deputy Directors Shri Arul Raj and Shri Satishkumar were also present at the event.