ESIC Unveils SPREE 2025: A Strategic Push Toward Universal Social Security
SPREE 2025 reflects the government’s commitment to bridging gaps in India’s social security ecosystem, particularly for contractual, temporary, and gig economy workers who remain outside formal insurance coverage
New Delhi, July 3, 2025 — In a decisive move to broaden the social protection net for India’s workforce, the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has launched SPREE 2025—the Scheme for Promotion of Registration of Employers and Employees—aimed at expanding the reach of the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Act, 1948 to unregistered employers and informal workers.
Approved at ESIC’s 196th meeting held in Shimla under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the scheme is active from July 1 to December 31, 2025.
A Renewed Focus on Inclusive Protection
SPREE 2025 reflects the government’s commitment to bridging gaps in India’s social security ecosystem, particularly for contractual, temporary, and gig economy workers who remain outside formal insurance coverage.
“SPREE 2025 is not just a registration drive—it’s a milestone in our journey toward inclusive development,” said Dr. Mandaviya. “Our vision is a welfare-driven labour ecosystem rooted in empathy, equity, and digital ease.”
Key Features of SPREE 2025: Amnesty Meets Accessibility
SPREE 2025 introduces a one-time amnesty window, offering employers and employees a simplified route into the ESI system without fear of retroactive penalties or legal consequences:
- No retrospective inspections or contribution demands for pre-registration periods
- No legal action for past non-compliance
- Digital registration available via the ESIC, Shram Suvidha, and MCA portals
- Registration effective from the date declared by the employer
This regulatory reprieve is designed to eliminate long-standing apprehensions that have historically discouraged participation from MSMEs and small enterprises.
Empowering the Informal Sector
India’s informal workforce—comprising over 90% of the country’s employment—is the primary focus of this initiative. SPREE 2025 seeks to:
- Extend healthcare, maternity, disability, and insurance benefits to millions
- Facilitate job formalization through simplified onboarding
- Support India’s Sustainable Development Goal 8 commitment to “decent work for all”
By widening the ESI net, ESIC aims to promote not just compliance, but a culture of preventive care and economic dignity.
Building on Legacy, Preparing for Scale
The original SPREE initiative, launched in 2016, facilitated the registration of over 1 crore employees and 88,000 employers. The 2025 edition builds on this momentum with a nationwide awareness campaign targeting under-covered segments.
SPREE 2025 will work in tandem with complementary reforms, including:
- Amnesty Scheme 2025: Fast-tracking dispute resolutions
- Simplified Damages Framework: Fixed 1% monthly rate replacing complex penalties
- Revised AYUSH Policy: Integrating traditional healthcare into ESIC hospitals
- Charitable Hospital Partnerships: Bridging service gaps in underserved regions
Action to Beneficiary
With digital-first enrollment and a reform-oriented posture, SPREE 2025 positions ESIC not merely as a statutory institution, but as a guardian of equitable worker welfare.
This is more than a compliance initiative—it’s a national invitation for businesses to prioritize dignity, security, and wellbeing in the workplace.
For more information or to register under SPREE 2025, visit www.esic.nic.in or PeopleManager.co.in for curated HR insights.
