Workers who lost job due to COVID can avail of unemployment allowance: Jha

Aurangabad, Oct 20:

“Those members of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) who have lost the job due to Novel coronavirus can get the allowance of 50 per cent of their three months average salary under ''Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana'' (ABVKY). As many as 185 members registered online under the scheme in Aurangabad division. Those who have lost the job can apply for the allowance up to June 2021,” said deputy director (in-charge) of ESIC Chandrabhanu Jha.

In an interview with Lokmat Times, Chandrabhanu Jha said that the Aurangabad division comprises Jalgaon, Dhule besides eight districts of Marathwada region.

He said that 2.79 lakh employees and workers are ESIC members of the division.

“Many workers who lost their jobs are not aware of the scheme. The deadline was ended. But, the Government gave extension for a period of one year (from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021). Members should visit the ESIC website and fill the online application form. Later, they will have to submit the documents related to jobs along with a bond paper, xerox copy of Aadhar Card and bank passbook. After verification of the documents, the unemployment benefit amount would be deposited in the members'' bank account,” he said.

Jha informed that the norms of the scheme were relaxed further. “One can apply after 30 days of job loss. Earlier, it was 90 days period. A total of 185 persons applied online, while 92 of them submitted documents in our office. Without documents submission, the allowance would not be given,” he asserted.