International Social Security Association

About International Social Security Association

• It is the principal international institution bringing together social security agencies and organizations of the world.
• Aim: To promote dynamic social security as the social dimension in a globalizing world by supporting excellence in social security administration.
• It was founded in 1927 under the auspices of the International Labour Organization.
• It has over 320 member institutions from over 160 countries.
• Headquarters : Geneva (at the International Labour Office)
• It provides access to information, expert advice, business standards, practical guidelines and platforms for members to build and promote dynamic social security systems worldwide.
• The vision of dynamic social security provides a framework for the ISSA's actions.
• The Liaison Office of ISSA for South Asia is also functioning from the ESI Corporation at its headquarters.

Key facts about Employees’ State Insurance Corporation 

• It is a statutory corporate body set up under the ESI Act 1948,
• It is responsible for the administration of the ESI Scheme. 
• Headquarter: New Delhi
• Composition
  • Chairman :The Union Minister of Labour.
  • The Central Government appoints a Director General as the Chief Executive Officer of ESIC.
  • The ESIC comprises members representing crucial interest groups, including employers, employees, the Central and State Governments, representatives of the Parliament and the medical profession. 
  • Standing Committee: It is constituted from among the members of the ESIC, which acts as an executive body.
  • The Standing Committee has the power to administer the affairs of the ESIC and perform functions of the ESIC under its overall control and superintendence. 
  • The Secretary, Ministry of Labour, is the Chairman of the Standing Committee.
  • The Director General of the ESIC is also an ex-officio member of the Standing Committee.
  • The other members of the Standing Committee are nominated and elected among the members of the ESIC.
  • The nominated members include the following: 3 members of the Central and State Governments, 3 members representing employers and employees, 1 member representing Parliament and the medical profession. 

Q1) What is the Employees State Insurance (ESI) Scheme?

It is a social security scheme offered by the Government of India as per the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948. It is administered by a statutory corporate body called the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)The scheme provides protection to employees against disablement/death due to employment injury, sickness, and maternity.

Source: ESIC bags “ISSA Vision Zero 2023” Award at the 23rd World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Sydney, Australia