Applicability of EPF for the operator of Hired Equipment/Machinery.

1. Please let us know for the applicability of EPF for the operator of Hired Equipment/Machinery. Who is responsible for the EPF
compliance of Operator? Company or the hired agency and under which act ?

It depends upon the contract of service entered into with the vendors. If the amount fixed or lease rent is inclusive of operator, then his salary will be taken care of by the owner of the machine but if the company where the machine has been installed for the time being is hiring only the machinery and has put an operator from another source, then that company should be paying the salary to that operator and then, obviously, the company should pay the ESI/ EPF in respect of that operator.