Are Companies Required to Handle PF, ESI, and Tax for Contract Employees? Let's Discuss!

Hi, I have a query: whether the company is required to get PF, ESI, and professional tax registration of professionals/contract employees. If yes, whether the company is required to deduct and contribute necessary contributions (PF, ESI, and professional tax) for these professionals/contract employees. What are the specific statutory records that the company would be required to maintain for these professionals/contract employees?

What do you mean by professionals and contract employees?

If professionals are under your payroll and they are drawing a salary as qualified by ESI and PF Acts, then they are also covered by these Acts. Similarly, these professionals are subject to profession tax as well.

If you mean Fixed Term Contract by contract employees, they are just like your other employees and are covered by these rules. If you mean contract employees as the employees engaged through a contractor (outsourced), then your responsibility as the principal employer is to ensure that the contractor has provided coverage for these Acts to his employees who are working under you.

Regards,
Madhu.T.K