Did EPFO Just Offer Employers a 6-Month Enrollment Window for Provident Fund Coverage?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- EPFO offers a six-month compliance window for employers.
- Voluntary enrollment for employees left out of EPF coverage.
- Employers only need to pay their share of contributions.
- Scheme covers establishments facing assessment inquiries.
- A nationwide awareness campaign is underway.
New Delhi, Dec 18 (NationPress) The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has announced a special scheme urging employers to take advantage of a six-month compliance window for the voluntary enrollment of eligible employees who missed out on EPF coverage between July 1, 2017 and October 31, 2025.
EPFO introduced the Employees’ Enrolment Scheme (EES)-2025, a unique initiative designed to enhance EPF participation and rectify previous non-compliance issues in a straightforward manner that is favorable to employers, as stated in an official report.
The EEC-2025 provides a unique compliance opportunity of six months starting in November 2025, allowing employers to voluntarily enroll eligible employees who were previously excluded from EPF coverage and to rectify past non-compliance instances. Organizations not yet registered under the EPF Act can apply for this initiative and subsequently declare and enroll eligible employees, according to the statement.
For those cases where employee contributions were not deducted in the past, the employer is only required to pay the employer’s share of contributions, along with interest as specified under Section 7Q, applicable administrative charges, and a maximum penalty of Rs 100, which will be considered complete compliance under all three EPFO schemes.
Businesses undergoing assessment inquiries are also eligible for this scheme. Additionally, benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana are accessible, subject to the scheme's terms and conditions.
The EPFO has called upon all employers to leverage this time-limited opportunity to contribute to the national goal of “Social Security for All.” To this end, EPFO will reach out to identified non-compliant employers via SMS and email, urging them to utilize the EES 2025 one-time relief to rectify their defaults.
A nationwide awareness initiative has been launched to inform employers about the advantages and features of the scheme. Concurrently, discussions are ongoing with various government bodies to ensure that contractual and casual employees are enrolled under the EPF framework, the report added.