**Executive Summary**
On May 7, 2026, the Union Minister of Labour & Employment launched a nationwide Annual Health Check-Up Initiative for all workers aged 40 and above. This initiative, part of the new Labour Codes, aims to strengthen occupational healthcare and expand social security coverage across India. The program provides free yearly screenings and follows a significant expansion of ESIC beneficiaries to nearly 15 crore people.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Health Initiative Provisions**
* Free annual health check-ups are now mandatory for all workers across the country aged 40 years and above.
* The initiative focuses on early detection through health screenings to prevent serious occupational and lifestyle diseases.
* Medical treatment and medicines for conditions identified during these health camps will be provided through ESIC facilities.
**Social Security and ESIC Expansion**
* Social security coverage in India has increased from 19% to 64%, now benefiting approximately 94 crore people.
* ESIC beneficiary numbers have doubled over the last decade, growing from 7 crore to nearly 15 crore.
* ESIC coverage has been extended to workers in hazardous occupations and employees in establishments with fewer than 10 workers.
* India has become one of the first countries to include gig and platform workers under formal social security frameworks.
**Labour Code Reforms**
* Mandatory provisions for equal wages for both men and women workers.
* Maternity leave entitlement has been increased from 12 weeks to 26 weeks.
* New provisions have been incorporated to facilitate work-from-home options for women.
**Impact Analysis**
**Workers (Aged 40 and Above)**
**Impact**
They gain access to free, regular preventative healthcare and necessary medical follow-ups at no cost.
**Action Required**
Eligible workers should attend annual health screening camps conducted at ESIC Medical Colleges and hospitals.
**Women Workers**
**Impact**
They benefit from improved job security through extended maternity leave, wage parity, and flexible work-from-home provisions.
**Action Required**
Women in the workforce should ensure they are aware of and claim their expanded leave and wage rights under the new codes.
**Gig and Platform Workers**
**Impact**
Previously excluded from formal protections, these workers are now brought under the national social security net.
**Action Required**
Stakeholders in the gig economy must align with the social security requirements stipulated in the Labour Codes.
**Small Establishments (Fewer than 10 Workers)**
**Impact**
Employees in small-scale businesses are now eligible for ESIC healthcare and social security benefits.
**Action Required**
Employers of small establishments must register their employees under the ESIC portal to ensure compliance with the expanded coverage.
Key Entities Referenced
Nationwide Annual Health Check-Up Initiative: A program providing free yearly medical screenings and medicines to all workers aged 40 and above across India.
Labour Codes: A set of four codes consolidating labour laws to provide social security coverage, specifically including gig and platform workers.
Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC): The primary organization responsible for implementing social security coverage and providing medical facilities for the workforce.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya: Union Minister of Labour & Employment who launched the health initiative and oversaw the expansion of social security coverage.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Launches
Nationwide Annual Health Check-Up Initiative for
Workers under Labour Codes
Free annual health check-ups for workers above 40 years to
be conducted across the Country
“India becomes one of the first countries to provide social
security coverage for gig and platform workers under Labour
Codes,” says Dr. Mandaviya
Union Minister highlights expansion of social security
coverage in India from 19% to 64%, benefiting around 94
crore people
ESIC coverage has increased from around 7 crore
beneficiaries a decade ago to nearly 15 crore beneficiaries
today: Dr. Mandaviya
Posted On: 07 MAY 2026 1:54PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
launched the nationwide Annual Health Check-Up Initiative for all workers aged 40 and above from ESIC
Medical College & Hospital, Basaidarapur, Delhi today, marking a major milestone in strengthening
occupational healthcare and social security coverage for India’s workforce.Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said that the implementation of the
four Labour Codes reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guarantee of ensuring dignity, welfare and
social security for workers across the country.
Calling the occasion a day dedicated to the honour of “Shram Shakti”, he said the Government is
committed to strengthening social security coverage for all workers.
Union Minister highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the Government has worked
over the last 12 years to empower “Shram Shakti” and “Yuva Shakti” through employment generation and
welfare measures.
He also highlighted that social security coverage in the country has expanded significantly from nearly 30
crore people a decade ago to around 94 crore beneficiaries today, increasing from 19 per cent to 64 per
cent.4 लेबर कोड्स: मोदी जी क श्रमक के लए ास्थ्य सुरा क गारटं ी 🇮🇳
40 वष से अधक आय ु के श्रमक के लए दशापी मुफ्त हल्थ चेकअप का हुआ आगाज़।
📍 ESIC बसई दारापुर#SwasthShramikSashaktBharat pic.twitter.com/yVflyokDYg
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) May 7, 2026
He further stated that ESIC coverage has increased from around 7 crore beneficiaries a decade ago to
nearly 15 crore beneficiaries today.
Announcing a major initiative for workers’ welfare, Dr. Mandaviya said that free health check-ups for all
workers above 40 years of age will now be conducted across the country every year.
He said that early detection through health screenings can help prevent serious diseases and informed that
treatment and medicines identified during the camps will be provided through ESIC facilities.
Highlighting key labour reforms under the four Labour Codes, the Minister said that provisions for equal
wages for men and women workers have been ensured, maternity leave has been increased from 12 weeks
to 26 weeks, and work-from-home provisions for women have also been incorporated.
He further stated that while countries across the world are still exploring ways to bring gig and platform
workers under social security frameworks, the Modi Government has proactively ensured their inclusion
through the new Labour Codes.
Dr. Mandaviya added that workers engaged in hazardous occupations and employees working even in
establishments with fewer than 10 workers are now being brought under ESIC coverage.
He also stated that while workers earlier remained neglected and unheard, the present Government has
ensured that their concerns are being addressed with commitment and sensitivity. He added that the
nationwide health check-up initiative is another important endeavour aimed at ensuring dignity, protection
and better healthcare outcomes for the country’s workforce.
The launch event was simultaneously observed across 11 other locations of the Employees’ State
Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospitals nationwide in the presence of State Labour Ministers, Members of
Parliament, Members of Legislative Assemblies, senior officials, employers’ representatives, workers, and
other dignitaries.Shri Kapil Mishra, Minister of Law & Justice, Labour, Employment, Development, Art, Culture &
Language, Tourism, Govt. of NCT, Delhi and Shri Ashok Kumar Singh, Director General, ESIC were also
present on the occasion.
*****
Rini Choudhury/Anjelina Alexander
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