Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday said the government is providing Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) health security to 25 crore people across India. He made the remarks at the CII-EFI National Conference on Industrial Relations and Labour and Awards 2026 in New Delhi.

The minister also listed other welfare measures. He said 80 crore people are receiving free food grains, while 10 crore farmers receive Rs 2,000 every four months through direct bank transfer. He added that in 10 states, women get Rs 2,000, Rs 1,500 or Rs 1,200 deposited into their bank accounts every month under state schemes.

Mandaviya spoke about balancing the International Labour Organization’s international labour frameworks with India’s own traditions and socio-economic context. Earlier in September 2026, he had urged states to assess the utilisation of labour welfare cess funds, identify gaps in their use, and step up worker welfare coverage in a planned manner.