The Hindu Editorial • May 11, 2026 • Read Original

Cost to access: On health check-up for workers

The opportunity cost of accessing medical care remains high

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The Hindu Read Original

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Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on May 11, 2026

Cost to access: On health check-up for workers

The opportunity cost of accessing medical care remains high

Union Labour MinistryESICHealth Check-upLabour CodesOccupational Healthe-Shram

Sentences

Sentence 1 of 18

English Original

The Union Labour Ministry has announced that it will provide a free annual health check-up to workers aged 40 years or more, following an existing provision in the new Labour Codes.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Union Labour Ministry

The department of the Indian government that looks after workers’ rights and welfare

Part 2

has announced

Has officially made something known to the public

Part 3

that it will provide a free health check-up to workers aged 40 years or more

The promise to give medical exams every year at no cost to workers who are 40 years old or older

Part 4

following an existing in the new

Doing this because it is already a rule in the updated set of labour laws

Context and Background

India

The Indian government has consolidated 29 central labour laws into four comprehensive ‘Labour Codes’: the Code on Wages (2019), the Industrial Relations Code (2020), the Social Security Code (2020), and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code (2020). These codes aim to modernize regulations, improve ease of doing business, and extend social security to more workers.

Sentence 2 of 18

English Original

The programme will be implemented through the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The programme

The health check-up plan mentioned earlier

Part 2

will be

Will be put into action or started

Part 3

through the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation ()

Using the ESIC organization to carry out the work

Context and Background

What is ESIC?

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is a statutory social security body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. It manages the ESI scheme, which provides medical care and cash benefits to workers in the organized sector during sickness, maternity, or work-related injury. It is funded by contributions from both employers and employees.

Sentence 3 of 18

English Original

For workers in hazardous conditions, such as handling toxic chemicals or operating heavy machinery, check-ups are mandatory; if illness is detected, ESIC hospitals and dispensaries will provide free treatment.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

For workers in conditions, such as handling chemicals or operating heavy machinery

For people who work in dangerous jobs like using poisonous chemicals or big machines

Part 2

check-ups

Medical examinations to check health status

Part 3

are

Indicates a state or requirement

Part 4

mandatory

Something that must be done by law or rule; not optional

Part 5

if illness is

In case a doctor finds a health problem during the check-up

Part 6

ESIC hospitals and

The medical centers and clinics run by the ESIC

Part 7

will provide

Will give or make available

Part 8

free treatment

Medical care that costs no money for the worker

Sentence 4 of 18

English Original

India already has a few workers’ health obligations on paper, including under the Factories Act 1948 (only within factories), the ESI Act 1948, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code 2020.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

India

The country of India

Part 2

already has

Already possesses or contains these rules

Part 3

a few workers’ health

Some legal duties regarding workers’ health that exist in written laws

Part 4

including under the Factories Act 1948 (only within factories), the ESI Act 1948, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code 2020

This includes specific old and new laws like the Factories Act and the ESI Act

Context and Background

Key Labour Acts in India

The Factories Act (1948) regulates health and safety in manufacturing units. The Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Act (1948) provides social security to workers. The OSH Code (2020) is a new law that consolidates and expands these safety standards to cover more types of workplaces beyond just factories.

Sentence 5 of 18

English Original

The new programme will be financed through the well-endowed ESI fund, although the government is still shoring up the number of beds and doctors available via PMJAY-empanelled facilities.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The new programme

The health check-up program being discussed

Part 2

will be

The money for this will be paid from a specific source

Part 3

through the ESI fund

Using the large amount of money already available in the ESI account

Part 4

although the government is still the number of beds and doctors available via PMJAY- facilities

Even though the government is still trying to increase the medical staff and hospital beds in the hospitals linked to PMJAY

Context and Background

ESI Fund and PMJAY

The ESI Fund is built from monthly contributions by employees and employers. PMJAY (Ayushman Bharat) is the world’s largest health insurance scheme, providing ₹5 lakh coverage per family annually for secondary and tertiary care. The government is integrating ESIC with PMJAY to allow ESI beneficiaries to use PMJAY-listed private hospitals where ESI hospitals are unavailable.

Sentence 6 of 18

English Original

At this time, operational evidence suggests that insured workers will be the main beneficiaries.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

At this time

Right now, in the current situation

Part 2

Information or facts gathered from how things are actually working on the ground

Part 3

suggests

Shows or hints at a likely conclusion

Part 4

that workers will be the main

That the people who already have insurance will get the most benefits from this

Sentence 7 of 18

English Original

Commendable though the initiative is, its success is not guaranteed.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

though the is

Even though the new plan is good and deserves praise

Part 2

its success

The positive outcome of the plan

Part 3

is not

Indicates a lack of certainty

Part 4

Certain to happen or succeed

Sentence 8 of 18

English Original

At present, only around 31 crore of 94 crore workers are on the e-Shram portal, whose integration with ESIC is still in its early stages in many States.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

At present

At this current time

Part 2

only around 31 crore of 94 crore workers

Just a small part of the total workforce in the country

Part 3

are

Exist or are present

Part 4

on the e-Shram

Registered in the government’s official database for workers

Part 5

whose with ESIC is still in its in many States

The process of connecting the portal to the health insurance system (ESIC) has only just started in many places

Context and Background

e-Shram Portal

The e-Shram portal is a national database for unorganized workers in India, such as construction workers, street vendors, and domestic workers. It provides them with a Universal Account Number (UAN) to access social security benefits. The goal is to link this database with other schemes like ESIC and PMJAY for a unified welfare system.

Sentence 9 of 18

English Original

Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also failed to address how a woman working in a garment home unit or as a domestic worker could access the longer maternity leave if she has no ‘employer’.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya

The government official in charge of the Ministry of Labour and Employment

Part 2

also failed

Did not do something that was expected or needed

Part 3

to how a woman working in a garment home unit or as a domestic worker could access the longer if she has no ‘’

To explain how women who work at home or in houses can get the 26-week maternity break when they don’t have a formal boss

Context and Background

Maternity Benefit in India

The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 increased paid maternity leave in India from 12 weeks to 26 weeks. However, this primarily benefits women in the organized sector. For unorganized workers like domestic help or home-based garment workers, who often lack formal contracts or identifiable employers, accessing these benefits remains a major challenge.

Sentence 10 of 18

English Original

Annual check-ups for women also warrant specific medical staff needs whereas many ESIC camps are crowded and dominated by men.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Annual check-ups for women

Yearly health exams specifically for female workers

Part 2

also

Also require or make necessary

Part 3

specific medical staff needs

The need for particular types of healthcare workers, such as female doctors or nurses

Part 4

many ESIC camps are crowded and by men

While at the same time, many ESIC health camps have too many people and are mostly used or managed by men

Sentence 11 of 18

English Original

As with many of its predecessors, the programme does not address the opportunity costs of accessing health care, forcing workers to continue contending with lost wages.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

As with many of its

Just like many other government plans that came before it

Part 2

the programme

The current health check-up plan

Part 3

does not address

Does not deal with or think about a particular problem

Part 4

the of accessing health care

The money or time a worker loses because they chose to go to the doctor instead of working

Part 5

forcing workers to continue with lost wages

Making workers keep dealing with the problem of not being paid for the day they were away

Sentence 12 of 18

English Original

An ESIC facility may also refer a worker to another centre if it lacks the resources for specific tests, leading to repeat visits and added time and cost.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

An ESIC facility

An ESIC hospital or clinic

Part 2

may also

Might send a person to a different place for help

Part 3

a worker

A person who is employed

Part 4

to another centre

To a different medical office or hospital

Part 5

if it the for specific tests

If the hospital doesn’t have the machines or tools needed for certain medical exams

Part 6

leading to repeat visits and added time and cost

Resulting in the worker having to go many times, wasting more time and money

Sentence 13 of 18

English Original

The new programme focuses predominantly on non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The new programme

The health check-up plan we are discussing

Part 2

focuses

Gives special attention to something

Part 3

Mostly or mainly

Part 4

on such as diabetes and

On health problems that don’t spread from person to person, like sugar (diabetes) and high blood pressure

Sentence 14 of 18

English Original

Heat-related illnesses are not explicitly recognised as occupational diseases under the ESI Act whereas construction and agriculture workers are most at risk of them.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Heat-related illnesses

Health problems caused by extreme heat, like heat stroke or exhaustion

Part 2

are not recognised

Are not clearly listed or accepted in official rules

Part 3

As illnesses caused specifically by a person’s job or work environment

Part 4

under the ESI Act

According to the ESI law

Part 5

whereas construction and agriculture workers are most at risk of them

Even though people building houses or farming are the ones most likely to get sick from heat

Sentence 15 of 18

English Original

Waste-pickers and sanitation workers on the other hand face greater risk of infectious diseases such as hepatitis and leptospirosis.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Waste-pickers and sanitation workers

People who collect garbage and clean streets or drains

Part 2

on the other hand

Looking at a different group or situation

Part 3

face

Are confronted with or exposed to a problem

Part 4

greater risk of such as hepatitis and

A higher chance of catching diseases that spread through germs, like liver infection (hepatitis) or rat-fever (leptospirosis)

Sentence 16 of 18

English Original

The scheme offers screening but does not mandate proactive vaccination.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The scheme

The health check-up plan

Part 2

offers

Provides or gives the option for something

Part 3

The process of testing people to find out if they have a disease

Part 4

but does not

But it does not make it a compulsory rule

Part 5

vaccination

Giving vaccines early to prevent someone from getting sick in the future

Sentence 17 of 18

English Original

The government must meet workers where they are, through mobile occupational health units and — as the OSH Code 2020 stipulates for organised workers — at their places of work, and provide tokens to compensate them for time spent on check-ups.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The government

The ruling authority

Part 2

must meet

Should go to the place where workers are, instead of waiting for them to come

Part 3

workers

The labor force

Part 4

where they are

In the locations where the workers live or work

Part 5

through mobile units

Using medical vans that can move from one place to another to provide health services

Part 6

and — as the OSH Code 2020 for organised workers — at their places of work

And also at the factories or offices where they work, as requested by the new safety laws for regular employees

Part 7

and provide

And give something to them

Part 8

tokens

Vouchers or items that represent a value or can be exchanged for money/benefits

Part 9

to them for time spent on check-ups

To pay them back for the wages they lost while getting their health checked

Sentence 18 of 18

English Original

Otherwise, any scheme of this nature will not improve upon the already deficient system.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Otherwise

If the suggested actions are not taken

Part 2

any scheme of this nature

Any health plan that is similar to this one

Part 3

will not improve

Will not make things better

Part 4

upon the already system

Compared to the current system which is already not good enough

Sentence 1 of 18

Sentences Breakdown

Editorial Summary

5-Point Summary

1 The Union Labour Ministry has launched a free annual health check-up program for workers aged 40 and above, implemented through the ESIC.
2 While the initiative is commendable, its success is hindered by low registration on the e-Shram portal and slow integration across states.
3 The program lacks clear mechanisms for unorganized workers, particularly women, to access benefits like maternity leave and specialized care.
4 A significant barrier is the opportunity cost, as workers must choose between getting a check-up and losing a day’s wages.
5 To improve the system, the government should deploy mobile health units and compensate workers for the time spent on medical visits.

Tone of the Editorial

Critical

Why this tone?

The editorial acknowledges the government’s positive initiative but primarily focuses on analyzing its practical shortcomings. By highlighting issues like lost wages, low registration numbers, and the exclusion of specific occupational diseases, the author adopts a critical stance to suggest necessary improvements.

Sentence 1 of 18

The Union Labour Ministry has announced that it will provide a free annual health check-up to workers aged 40 years or more, following an existing provision in the new Labour Codes.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Union Labour Ministry

The department of the Indian government that looks after workers’ rights and welfare

Part 2

has announced

Has officially made something known to the public

Part 3

that it will provide a free annual health check-up to workers aged 40 years or more

The promise to give medical exams every year at no cost to workers who are 40 years old or older

Part 4

following an existing provision in the new Labour Codes

Doing this because it is already a rule in the updated set of labour laws

Sentence 2 of 18

The programme will be implemented through the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The programme

The health check-up plan mentioned earlier

Part 2

will be implemented

Will be put into action or started

Part 3

through the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)

Using the ESIC organization to carry out the work

Sentence 3 of 18

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

For workers in hazardous conditions, such as handling toxic chemicals or operating heavy machinery

For people who work in dangerous jobs like using poisonous chemicals or big machines

Part 2

check-ups

Medical examinations to check health status

Part 3

are

Indicates a state or requirement

Part 4

mandatory

Something that must be done by law or rule; not optional

Part 5

if illness is detected

In case a doctor finds a health problem during the check-up

Part 6

ESIC hospitals and dispensaries

The medical centers and clinics run by the ESIC

Part 7

will provide

Will give or make available

Part 8

free treatment

Medical care that costs no money for the worker

Sentence 4 of 18

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

India

The country of India

Part 2

already has

Already possesses or contains these rules

Part 3

a few workers’ health obligations on paper

Some legal duties regarding workers’ health that exist in written laws

Part 4

including under the Factories Act 1948 (only within factories), the ESI Act 1948, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code 2020

This includes specific old and new laws like the Factories Act and the ESI Act

Sentence 5 of 18

The new programme will be financed through the well-endowed ESI fund, although the government is still shoring up the number of beds and doctors available via PMJAY-empanelled facilities.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The new programme

The health check-up program being discussed

Part 2

will be financed

The money for this will be paid from a specific source

Part 3

through the well-endowed ESI fund

Using the large amount of money already available in the ESI account

Part 4

although the government is still shoring up the number of beds and doctors available via PMJAY-empanelled facilities

Even though the government is still trying to increase the medical staff and hospital beds in the hospitals linked to PMJAY

Sentence 6 of 18

At this time, operational evidence suggests that insured workers will be the main beneficiaries.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

At this time

Right now, in the current situation

Part 2

operational evidence

Information or facts gathered from how things are actually working on the ground

Part 3

suggests

Shows or hints at a likely conclusion

Part 4

that insured workers will be the main beneficiaries

That the people who already have insurance will get the most benefits from this

Sentence 7 of 18

Commendable though the initiative is, its success is not guaranteed.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Commendable though the initiative is

Even though the new plan is good and deserves praise

Part 2

its success

The positive outcome of the plan

Part 3

is not

Indicates a lack of certainty

Part 4

guaranteed

Certain to happen or succeed

Sentence 8 of 18

At present, only around 31 crore of 94 crore workers are on the e-Shram portal, whose integration with ESIC is still in its early stages in many States.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

At present

At this current time

Part 2

only around 31 crore of 94 crore workers

Just a small part of the total workforce in the country

Part 3

are

Exist or are present

Part 4

on the e-Shram portal

Registered in the government’s official database for workers

Part 5

whose integration with ESIC is still in its early stages in many States

The process of connecting the portal to the health insurance system (ESIC) has only just started in many places

Sentence 9 of 18

Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also failed to address how a woman working in a garment home unit or as a domestic worker could access the longer maternity leave if she has no ‘employer’.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya

The government official in charge of the Ministry of Labour and Employment

Part 2

also failed

Did not do something that was expected or needed

Part 3

to address how a woman working in a garment home unit or as a domestic worker could access the longer maternity leave if she has no ‘employer’

To explain how women who work at home or in houses can get the 26-week maternity break when they don’t have a formal boss

Sentence 10 of 18

Annual check-ups for women also warrant specific medical staff needs whereas many ESIC camps are crowded and dominated by men.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Annual check-ups for women

Yearly health exams specifically for female workers

Part 2

also warrant

Also require or make necessary

Part 3

specific medical staff needs

The need for particular types of healthcare workers, such as female doctors or nurses

Part 4

whereas many ESIC camps are crowded and dominated by men

While at the same time, many ESIC health camps have too many people and are mostly used or managed by men

Sentence 11 of 18

As with many of its predecessors, the programme does not address the opportunity costs of accessing health care, forcing workers to continue contending with lost wages.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

As with many of its predecessors

Just like many other government plans that came before it

Part 2

the programme

The current health check-up plan

Part 3

does not address

Does not deal with or think about a particular problem

Part 4

the opportunity costs of accessing health care

The money or time a worker loses because they chose to go to the doctor instead of working

Part 5

forcing workers to continue contending with lost wages

Making workers keep dealing with the problem of not being paid for the day they were away

Sentence 12 of 18

An ESIC facility may also refer a worker to another centre if it lacks the resources for specific tests, leading to repeat visits and added time and cost.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

An ESIC facility

An ESIC hospital or clinic

Part 2

may also refer

Might send a person to a different place for help

Part 3

a worker

A person who is employed

Part 4

to another centre

To a different medical office or hospital

Part 5

if it lacks the resources for specific tests

If the hospital doesn’t have the machines or tools needed for certain medical exams

Part 6

leading to repeat visits and added time and cost

Resulting in the worker having to go many times, wasting more time and money

Sentence 13 of 18

The new programme focuses predominantly on non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The new programme

The health check-up plan we are discussing

Part 2

focuses

Gives special attention to something

Part 3

predominantly

Mostly or mainly

Part 4

on non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension

On health problems that don’t spread from person to person, like sugar (diabetes) and high blood pressure

Sentence 14 of 18

Heat-related illnesses are not explicitly recognised as occupational diseases under the ESI Act whereas construction and agriculture workers are most at risk of them.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Heat-related illnesses

Health problems caused by extreme heat, like heat stroke or exhaustion

Part 2

are not explicitly recognised

Are not clearly listed or accepted in official rules

Part 3

as occupational diseases

As illnesses caused specifically by a person’s job or work environment

Part 4

under the ESI Act

According to the ESI law

Part 5

whereas construction and agriculture workers are most at risk of them

Even though people building houses or farming are the ones most likely to get sick from heat

Sentence 15 of 18

Waste-pickers and sanitation workers on the other hand face greater risk of infectious diseases such as hepatitis and leptospirosis.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Waste-pickers and sanitation workers

People who collect garbage and clean streets or drains

Part 2

on the other hand

Looking at a different group or situation

Part 3

face

Are confronted with or exposed to a problem

Part 4

greater risk of infectious diseases such as hepatitis and leptospirosis

A higher chance of catching diseases that spread through germs, like liver infection (hepatitis) or rat-fever (leptospirosis)

Sentence 16 of 18

The scheme offers screening but does not mandate proactive vaccination.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The scheme

The health check-up plan

Part 2

offers

Provides or gives the option for something

Part 3

screening

The process of testing people to find out if they have a disease

Part 4

but does not mandate

But it does not make it a compulsory rule

Part 5

proactive vaccination

Giving vaccines early to prevent someone from getting sick in the future

Sentence 17 of 18

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The government

The ruling authority

Part 2

must meet

Should go to the place where workers are, instead of waiting for them to come

Part 3

workers

The labor force

Part 4

where they are

In the locations where the workers live or work

Part 5

through mobile occupational health units

Using medical vans that can move from one place to another to provide health services

Part 6

and — as the OSH Code 2020 stipulates for organised workers — at their places of work

And also at the factories or offices where they work, as requested by the new safety laws for regular employees

Part 7

and provide

And give something to them

Part 8

tokens

Vouchers or items that represent a value or can be exchanged for money/benefits

Part 9

to compensate them for time spent on check-ups

To pay them back for the wages they lost while getting their health checked

Sentence 18 of 18

Otherwise, any scheme of this nature will not improve upon the already deficient system.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Otherwise

If the suggested actions are not taken

Part 2

any scheme of this nature

Any health plan that is similar to this one

Part 3

will not improve

Will not make things better

Part 4

upon the already deficient system

Compared to the current system which is already not good enough

Reading Comprehension

Practice questions based on this editorial

Reading Comprehension - Worker Health Check-ups

Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about the challenges and implications of the free health check-up scheme for workers in India.

5 Questions Passing: 70%

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Editorial Categories

Politics and Governance 7 Economy 7 International Relations 2 Science and Technology 2 Environment 3 Society 0 Security 1 Infrastructure and Energy 2 Media and Communication 1 Miscellaneous 7

Vocabulary Feeds

Challenging Vocabulary 151 Idioms and Phrases 108 Phrasal Verbs 52

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