Retaining Fresh Engineering Trainees: How Long Can We Go Without PF and ESI?

How many months can we retain a fresh engineering candidate as a trainee without PF and ESI?

Thank you.

Exemption from PF & ESI for Apprentices

Exemption from PF & ESI is only for Apprentices as per the Apprentices Act 1961; merely terming them as Trainees won't suffice. The liability can be from day one of their appointment.

Clarification on PF & ESI Coverage for Trainees

Dear Colleague, thanks to our colleague for the crisp clarity.

Add: GETs are not exempted from PF & ESI coverage. They are employees under PF & ESI, and they should be enrolled from day one of their appointment.

If you register a contract of apprenticeship under the Apprenticeship Act 1961 with the Board of Apprenticeship (BOAT), only those apprentices are exempted from PF & ESI coverage.

Take care,

Regards, Dr. P. Sivakumar