Can a Blue-Collar Worker Earning Rs.16,000 Legally Opt Out of PF Contributions?

There's a blue-collar laborer recruited for Rs.16,000. He does not want to opt for PF. Is that possible since Rs.16,000 is the gross salary (minimum wages are Rs.12,371 for my company's state)?

EPF Account Requirement

Whether he was working earlier? Whether he had an EPF account (UAN Number) earlier? If yes, then EPF is mandatory; else, you may consider exclusion.

Hi, No, he's a new employee. So, the PF 15,000 exemption can be on gross and not basic then, right?

You cannot consider gross salary for excluding an employee and Basic salary (plus DA, if available) for contribution and coverage. If the gross pay is Rs 16,000 and out of it an amount of Rs 1,000 is HRA, then his PF qualifying salary will come to Rs 15,000. In such a scenario, he should be covered by EPF without fail. The employee cannot refuse to accept it because the law is for all the people of India and not for a particular person.