Section 8A. of EPF Act -Recovery of moneys by employers and contractors
(1) The amount of contribution (that is to say, the employer's contribution as well as the employee's contribution in pursuance of any Scheme and the employer's contribution in pursuance of the Insurance Scheme]; and any charges for meeting the cost of administering the Fund paid or payable by an employer in respect of an employee employed by or through a contractor may be recovered by such employer from the contractor, either by deduction from any amount payable to the contractor under any contract or as a debt payable by the contractor.
It is a provision to pay and recover.So when there is no recovery from the Contractor they may claim for direct employment.This needs to be seen .
V.Sounder Rajan
HR & Employment Law Attorney
Specializing for Recruiting and Contract Staffing Industry
M: 98401-42164