Personal accidental death assurance scheme for employees of private establishments

The Comprehensive Health Insurance Agency of Kerala (CHIAK) and the Labour department will jointly implement a personal accidental death assurance scheme for employees of private establishments registered under the Wage Protection System (WPS).

The benefits of the scheme will be available to approximately 25 lakh workers in the State. WPS is a scheme launched by the Labour department to ensure that minimum wages are provided to workers under an employer in the private sector.

In case of accidental death of a worker in an establishment registered under the scheme, the dependents will get ₹5 lakh. Even if compensation is provided under the Workmen Compensation Act 1923, the benefits under the scheme will be available to the dependants of the worker.

At present, there are no special schemes for accidental death of workers in the private sector. Unexpected deaths of such workers often push their families into debt. The scheme is being implemented to provide a source of support for the families.

CHIAK, in cooperation with the Labour department, will carry out a drive to register various establishments under the scheme. The registered workers will have to pay a nominal amount (₹150), which will be consolidated and utilised as capital for accidental death financial assistance. The State government had allocated ₹30 lakh for the scheme in the Budget for the financial year 2025-26.

In case of accidental death of a worker, the dependents can submit an application to the district officer of CHIAK. Along with the application in the prescribed format, the death certificate, FIR, inheritance certificate and scheme membership certificate should be submitted. After vetting the documents and confirming the eligibility, CHIAK will distribute the financial assistance to the legal heirs.