Navigating PF Enrollment: Can Our Small India Branch Qualify with Just 14 Employees?

Hi, I am working as an HR Executive in an IT firm with a total of around 300 employees globally across 7 international locations. Currently, in our India location, the management wants to enroll all employees in PF benefits, but the total headcount in the India branch is only 14. Our India branch has been operating since 2010, and many employees have been hired and left during this period, but at no point has the total headcount exceeded 20 employees. The criteria for enrolling a company for PF benefits is a minimum of 20 employees. In the current situation, can I enroll our company (India branch) for PF benefits with only 14 employees? If yes, how can this be done?

Please study the PF applicability. It states that if there are 20 or more employees, then you can enroll. Currently, with 14 employees, you cannot enroll.

I have recently found that "ANY ESTABLISHMENT EMPLOYING EVEN LESS THAN 20 PERSONS CAN BE COVERED VOLUNTARILY UNDER SECTION 1 (4) OF THE ACT" for enrolling PF benefits. Can anybody who knows about this guide me through the exact procedure?

Yes. An establishment with fewer than 20 employees can voluntarily be covered under Section 1(4) of the EPF Act by submitting a joint application to the RPFC by the employer and the majority of employees.