Struggling to Get PF Details from Employer: What Can My Friend Do About It?

Dear Sir/Madam, A friend of mine has been working with a company for the last 4 to 5 months. Every month, the company deducts a certain amount from his CTC for PF, but despite making several requests, the accounts or HR department are not providing him with his EPF number. The new employees who have been hired in the last two weeks are being given the option to choose whether they want their PF to be deducted, a choice that was not offered to my friend or any other previous employee.

Queries Regarding PF Deductions and EPF Number

I have the following queries regarding the above situation:

1. Is an employer allowed to withhold PF details (PF number and balance) from the employee?
2. Since PF contribution is optional (his basic salary has always been more than 6500), what steps can he take to ensure that no further deductions are made from his CTC for PF?
3. What is the procedure for withdrawing the amount contributed up to the current date?

Thank you.

You can approach the concerned PF office and confirm if your contribution is being deposited. If not, approach the Labour Officer with proof of PF deduction.

The employer is not allowed to hide PF details. There are instructions from the PF Department that every month the copy of Monthly Challans should be displayed on the Notice Board to be seen by the employees and to ensure that the employer is not keeping deducted PF for his own use. This is a good HR practice to win the confidence of the workforce. The details can very well be verified from the PF website epfindia.gov.in or epfindia.com as well.

PF Membership and Deduction

PF is not optional if the employee is already a PF member. If PF is deducted, it is beneficial for the employee; hence the employer will not deduct more on account of PF. Withdrawal is not permitted as long as an employee is in service. No advance is available unless 5 years of service is completed. As a rule, the PF amount should not be withdrawn as far as possible, even in the most critical situation. It is a lifetime saving to be used after one loses his earning capacity from regular sources.

Account Balance and PF Details

Details of the account balance cannot be seen on the website without the allotted PF account number. If the deduction is being shown on the salary slip or you have any other proof that your PF is being deducted, the first step would be to approach the PF Office and confirm whether it is being deposited or not. If it is not being deposited, the PF Office will take legal action. If it is being deposited, the Labour Officer/Inspector will help you get the account details.

Regarding Withdrawal

Mr. Bhargava is correct in his suggestions.

It may be noted here that the above actions may strain your relations with the boss, which may be best avoided. Take the above actions only if you have reasons to believe that the boss cannot be trusted.

Clarification on PF Deductions and Disclosure

It seems that zent1981 might be missing the point. There is no previous employer involved; it is the current employer who has been deducting the PF and not disclosing the account number. The suggestions made by other members are good enough.

I am not missing and trying to convey that when his current employer receives emails regarding PF/statutory matters marked to the government, the employer may face trouble or fear and will have to provide the PF number.

Regards