The Lok Sabha today unanimously passed the Employee's Compensation (Amendment) Bill – 2016. The Bill seeks to amend the Employee's Compensation Act- 1923 which provides payment of compensation to employees and their dependents in the case of injury by industrial accidents, including occupational diseases. The amendment bill makes it obligatory for the employer to inform the employee of his rights to compensation, in writing as well as through electronic means. <br/><br/>Replying to the discussion, Labour and Employment Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said said the bill provides for raising the penalty for violation of the Act to 50 thousand rupees from five thousand rupees as at present. The penalty may be raised to one lakh rupees later, he said. Mr. Dattatreya said, with the passage of the Bill crores of people in the organised sector will be benefited. He said the NDA government is committed for job and social security. Maintaining that the government is pro-worker and pro-labour, Mr Dattatreya said since this government came to power, the minimum pension has been revised from 350 rupees to one thousand rupees.<br/>Earlier, initiating the discussion on the bill, Suresh Kodikunnil of Congress said the compensation under it is not sufficient and demanded to increase it. He alleged that the bill is aimed at protecting the interests of the corporates.