Parliament has passed a bill to provide compensation to workers covered by the Employees' State Insurance Act in case of industrial accidents and occupational diseases. The Rajya Sabha approved the bill on Tuesday while the Lok Sabha had given it nod on 24th of November. The amendment bill aims at making it gender-neutral and more worker-friendly. The Bill enhances the minimum rates of compensation payable to a worker fro 80 thousand to 1 lakh 20 thousand rupees in case of death and from 90 thousand to 1 lakh 40 thousand in case of permanent disability. Replying the debate on the bill, the Labour Minister Mr. Mallikarjun Kharge rebutted the opposition charges and said that the Bill will address the concerns of the workers to a large extent. Earlier, members participating in the debate on the Bill urged the government to take all necessary measures to ensure adequate compensation to the working class in case of death or accident.<br/>