26 August, raipur,In a landmark step to strengthen India’s social security framework, the Government of India has rolled out the Scheme for Promotion of Registration of Employers and Employees (SPREE 2025) under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Scheme. The special registration drive, open until December 31, 2025, offers employers and workers a fresh opportunity to come under statutory social protection.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reaffirming the government’s commitment to worker welfare, said, “Our government is committed to the development of a generous and comprehensive social safety net for all workers.”The initiative seeks to bring lakhs of unregistered employees, including those in contractual and temporary jobs, into the ESI fold, ensuring access to healthcare, maternity support, financial protection, and other benefits. Employers enrolling under SPREE 2025 will enjoy significant relaxations—no penalties or retrospective demands for past contributions, no inspections for earlier periods, and registration valid from the date declared by the employer.A major thrust of the campaign is in Chhattisgarh, where the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is conducting awareness drives, help desks, and seminars through its regional and sub-regional offices in Raipur, Bilaspur, Korba, and Durg. Employers with 10 or more workers not yet covered under the ESI Act, or those who have not enrolled all eligible employees, can register voluntarily via digital platforms such as the ESIC Portal, Shram Suvidha Portal, or MCA Portal.“SPREE 2025 is a golden opportunity for employers to comply voluntarily and ensure their workforce gets rightful access to medical care, maternity support, and other social security benefits. Our focus is to make the process simple, transparent, and beneficial for all stakeholders,” said an Ratnesh Rajanya, Deputy Director ESIC, Raipur.In addition to SPREE 2025, the government has approved an Amnesty Scheme 2025, running from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026, offering employers a one-time window to settle disputes and pending litigations under the ESI Act.The ESIC has appealed to industries, MSMEs, service sector establishments, and trade bodies to actively participate in SPREE 2025 and extend the benefits of social security to all eligible workers.For registrations, employers can visit www.esic.gov.in or contact the toll-free helpline 1800-11-2526.
