PF Coverage Date Confusion: Should Our Contributions Start from August or November?

I have a query regarding the PF coverage date in my company. I am working as an HR Assistant in the garments industry. Our company started with 11 employees in August 2013. By November 2013, the number had increased to more than 60. Therefore, we have been paying PF contributions since November 2013.

Query on PF Coverage Date

My query is whether our coverage should start from August or November. Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Regards,

First of all, can you please update me on when you enrolled for PF? According to the PF regulations for the garment industry, even if the employee strength is 10 or more, the contribution is mandatory. The contribution should begin from August 2013 onwards. If you have any queries, it is better to mention your name too.

In that case, you should contribute the contributions from November 2013 only.

In my opinion, the Act will be applicable from the date on which the establishment employed 20 or more employees, provided that the said establishment is not a branch or unit of an already covered establishment.

Regards,
AK Chandok RPFC (Retd.) www.akchandok.com

On a practical note, the date of coverage begins from the date of registration of the establishment as mentioned in the Registration Certificate issued by the Regional Provident Fund Organisation. Based on the information provided, it is unclear at what date the number of employees exceeded 20 in your organization and since when your organization is covered by the PF Office. The Registration Certificate specifically mentions the date of coverage, and ideally, you should commence from that date.

Hope that helps.

PF Coverage Requirements

PF coverage is mandatory from the date when your company's strength reaches 20 employees. If you want voluntary coverage for fewer than 20 employees, it cannot have a retrospective effect. Please verify when your company is covered and has obtained a PF code.

Regards

Kindly note that when your establishment employs 20 or more employees in the same month, you are required to contribute to the PF. Before reaching that threshold, contribution is not necessary.

Regards, Yogesha Kanahalli

The strength of your company was 20+ only from the month of November 2013. You also obtained registration in November 2013 and started paying contributions from the same month. You have absolutely nothing to worry about.