The Employee’s Compensation
(Amendment) Act, 2017 has received assent of the President 12th April, 2017. Provisions of EC Act are as mentioned below:-
·
Every employer shall immediately at
the time of employment of an employee, inform the employee of his rights to
compensation under this Act, in writing as well as through electronic means, in
English or in Hindi or in the official language of the area of employment’ - Insertion of new section 17A. Duty of
employer to inform employee of his rights
·
Penalty of non-compliance of any
provision of the Act is revised to Rs.50000/- minimum to Rs.100000/- maximum; -
Amendment of section 18A.
·
Appeal in the High Court has revised
more than Rs.10000/- compensation from present Rs.300/- Amendment
of section 30
·
On the direction of High Court
commissioner can withheld payment of any sum in deposit with him – This provision of Section 30A is omitted;
Earlier :-
It’s Bill was
passed by Lok Sabha on the 9 August, 2016, and transmitted to Rajya Sabha
for its concurrence. Rajya Sabha passed the Bill with two
minor amendments at its sitting held on the 22 March, 2017 and returned
it to Lok Sabha on 23rd March, 2017.
· Amendments 1. That at page 1, line
1, for the word "Sixty seventh", the word "Sixty-eighth" be
substituted.
· Amendments 2. That
at page 1, line 3, for the figure "2016", the figure "2017"
be substituted.
On April 5, 2017 when Lok
Sabha approved the amendments made by the Rajya Sabha
·
The Bill amends the Employee’s Compensation Act, 1923. The Act
provides payment of compensation to employees and their dependents in
the case of injury by industrial accidents, including occupational
diseases.
·
Duty to inform employee of right to compensation:
·
The Bill introduces a provision which requires an employer to
inform the employee of his right to compensation under the Act. Such
information must be given in writing (in English, Hindi or the relevant official
language) at the time of employing him.
·
Penalty for failure to inform: The Bill penalises an employer if
he fails to inform his employee of his right to compensation. Such penalty may
be between 50,000 to one lakh rupees.
·
Appeals from the Commissioner’s order: The Act permits appeals
against the Commissioner’s orders related to compensation, distribution of
compensation, award of penalty or interest, etc. However, this is only if the
amount in dispute is at least 300 rupees. The Bill raises this amount to 10,
000 rupees. It permits the central government to further raise this amount.
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