BUDGAM, APR 24: Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said a country that values the dignity of its workers is unstoppable on the path of progress, asserting that their welfare must remain at the centre of governance.
Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, inaugurated a 30‑bedded Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital at Ompora in the central Kashmir district. The facility is the first ESIC hospital in Jammu & Kashmir, marking a historic step in expanding social security and worker‑welfare services in the region.
He highlighted that India’s social security coverage has risen from 19 per cent in 2015 to 64.3 per cent in 2025, as per International Labour Organisation data, and noted that the country’s efforts have been recognised by the International Social Security Association.
Mandaviya said the four Labour Codes, implemented last year, guarantee key protections for workers, including annual health check‑ups, mandatory appointment letters, and minimum wages. The provision for regular health checks through ESIC hospitals will enable early disease detection, preventive care, and long‑term security for the workforce.
He added that the integration of ESIC with Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has further expanded access to cashless treatment across empanelled hospitals. The hospital, built at a cost of ₹165 crore with room for expansion to 100 beds, is expected to serve over 50,000 workers and their families.
