Chandigarh, November 25 - Advocate Jasveer Singh, a social worker, has said that factory workers have to yearn for health facilities. Addressing a seminar on labor welfare and ESI Act at District Court Chandigarh by All India Lawyers Union, he said that since four decades they have been fighting the cases of migrant workers for getting ESI amount. . The seminar was chaired by Karam Singh Vakil. Ashok Kumar, Ranveer Singh Chauhan and MS Gorsi also joined him on the stage.

Mr. Jasveer Singh said that the owners of the establishments with more than ten employees have to pay 4% of the salary of the employees whose salary is less than 21000/- to the ESI by the 15th of every month. If it is delayed by even one day, 12 percent interest and 25 percent damages have to be paid. All the money goes to the central government out of which only 25 percent of the money reaches the states for spending.

He said that ESI has 71 dispensaries and 6 hospitals in Punjab. Mohali has one hospital and 2 dispensaries which are open only from 8 am to 2 am, due to which there is heavy rush of insured workers. Lack of facilities like ambulance, X-ray, ECG and operation etc. increases the pain of the workers. Absence of gynecological lady doctor and lack of referring the workers for treatment in the respective hospitals for cash-less treatment as per their rights and unfriendly attitude disturbs the workers.

He said that for many workers, they have to go to the dispensary and get facilities in a row. Despite repeated requests to the Union Minister and local leaders for labor facilities, no one responded positively. Justice has also been obtained from consumer court and ESI court many times. He said that in about 50 cases fought by him, the department has been fined 10000 to 50000 rupees, but despite this, there has been no improvement in the performance of the department.

Earlier, Ranveer Singh Chauhan welcomed the guests. Ashok Kumar introduced social worker Jasveer Singh.

Karam Singh Vakil, while sharing the presiding words, said that there should be some lawyers like Jasveer Singh who take the arm of the poor in the society. Inflation is skyrocketing.

Muhammad Shahnaz Gorsi conducted the stage during the event. A large number of lawyers participated in the event.