Source: Mint
Context:
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has launched the Employee’s Enrolment Scheme 2025 under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). The scheme provides a one-time opportunity for employers to voluntarily enrol eligible employees who were previously left out of EPF coverage.
About the Scheme:
- Objective:
- Extend social security coverage to all eligible employees under the EPF Act, 1952.
- Encourage voluntary compliance by employers and build trust between businesses and regulators.
- Promote formalisation of the workforce and ensure financial protection for unregistered employees.
- Operational Period:
- Six months: 1 November 2025 to 30 April 2026.
- Eligibility:
- Employees employed between 1 July 2017 and 31 October 2025 who were not previously covered under EPF.
- Key Features:
- Employers can enrol eligible employees voluntarily.
- Employee’s contribution waiver if it was not deducted earlier.
- Employer’s share plus a nominal ₹100 penalty required for compliance.
- Applicable even to establishments under inquiry under Section 7A or Paragraph 26B of the EPF Act.
- EPFO will not take suo motu action for past omissions once voluntary compliance is made.
