'Employees lack EPF awareness'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 14 2013 :
Due to lack of awareness and negligence on the part of employees, the percentage of employees registering as member of Provident Fund is very low in the State.
This was underlined at a discussion programme held today at Classic Hotel organised by Employees Provident Fund Organisation under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr A Mahendra Raju, Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner, Kolkata Zone said that so far 13,000 employees of 335 establishments of the State have been covered by EPF against the existence of more than 4-5 lakh employees.
Highlighting the various benefits extended to employees who are covered by EPF, Dr Raju pointed out that around 2000 employees under SSA did not enrol for EPF.
Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-II, Regional Office Guwahati, K Rupeshwar Singh said lack of awareness and negligence on the part of the employees are responsible for the low level of registration of employees under EPF.
He also said that there were instances when the EPFO was threatened by establishments when asked to enrol their employees under EPF.
Even if so, efforts should be made so as to enlist all employees under EPF.
Rupeshwar also said that there are legal provisions for redressal in case an employee is objected by the concerned establishment from joining the EPF.
Representatives of HUS Construction, Shija Hospital, Manipur Rural bank, All Manipur Recognised Private Schools' Welfare Association, BSNL, Babina Diagnostic, UNACO, Manipur Science and Technology Council, Imphal Free Press, MANIREDA, Loktak Power Association, All Manipur Government Aided College Teachers' Association, and Imphal Urban Cooperative Bank have took part in the discussion programme.