I have written letters to the Regional Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund, No.3-4-763, Barkatpura Chaman, Hyderabad, Telangana – 500 027, and to the Commissioner of Labor, Govt. of Telangana, TAKS Bhavan, RTC Cross Roads, Behind Devi Theatre, Chikkadpalli, Viveknagar, Himayathnagar, Hyderabad, Telangana – 500 020, both dated 08-11-2018. No reply or action has been noticed from either address.
Issues with EPF and ESI Contributions
If you inspect various engineering and academic colleges, as well as schools in and around the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, and throughout Telangana State, you will find that employees in these institutions neither have EPF nor ESI contributions (which are mandatory in establishments employing 10 or more employees) deducted at source, nor is any record maintained in this regard. If deductions are made, the amounts are not deposited with the EPF or ESI against the employees, denying them benefits under the ESI Rules 1948, particularly Chapter V. These practices show a clear intentional disregard for the welfare of the employees on the part of the college and school managements. It is important to note that almost all these employees are unorganized workers.
Challenges with EPF Withdrawals for Unorganized Employees
A lot of temporary unorganized employees are either working or have been retrenched from their duties for various reasons known to their employers. Some of these unorganized employees have been issued Unique Account Numbers (UAN) for EPF. Those who have been allotted UAN numbers wish to make final or partial withdrawals from their EPF accounts, which are their own hard-earned money. However, the withdrawal application form mandates the employer's signature, which is unnecessary. Employers may refuse to sign the forms for reasons known only to them, or they may be deceased or absconding. When employees are issued UANs for their EPF, what is the necessity of obtaining the employer's signature? UANs are issued without employee photos, but there are many government-approved personal identification documents available, such as Aadhaar cards and Voter Identity cards. Therefore, kindly remove the requirement for the employer's signature from the EPF withdrawal forms for these unorganized, possibly illiterate, employees, so they can claim their money back with interest for their urgent needs. This change will also help the government manage the large amounts of unclaimed EPF funds accumulating in the concerned departments.
Kindly advise me on what further action I can take.
Issues with EPF and ESI Contributions
If you inspect various engineering and academic colleges, as well as schools in and around the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, and throughout Telangana State, you will find that employees in these institutions neither have EPF nor ESI contributions (which are mandatory in establishments employing 10 or more employees) deducted at source, nor is any record maintained in this regard. If deductions are made, the amounts are not deposited with the EPF or ESI against the employees, denying them benefits under the ESI Rules 1948, particularly Chapter V. These practices show a clear intentional disregard for the welfare of the employees on the part of the college and school managements. It is important to note that almost all these employees are unorganized workers.
Challenges with EPF Withdrawals for Unorganized Employees
A lot of temporary unorganized employees are either working or have been retrenched from their duties for various reasons known to their employers. Some of these unorganized employees have been issued Unique Account Numbers (UAN) for EPF. Those who have been allotted UAN numbers wish to make final or partial withdrawals from their EPF accounts, which are their own hard-earned money. However, the withdrawal application form mandates the employer's signature, which is unnecessary. Employers may refuse to sign the forms for reasons known only to them, or they may be deceased or absconding. When employees are issued UANs for their EPF, what is the necessity of obtaining the employer's signature? UANs are issued without employee photos, but there are many government-approved personal identification documents available, such as Aadhaar cards and Voter Identity cards. Therefore, kindly remove the requirement for the employer's signature from the EPF withdrawal forms for these unorganized, possibly illiterate, employees, so they can claim their money back with interest for their urgent needs. This change will also help the government manage the large amounts of unclaimed EPF funds accumulating in the concerned departments.
Kindly advise me on what further action I can take.