The Centre proposes to reduce the number of employer and employees in the Central Board of Trustees of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to make it an “active decision making body”. The issue was discussed at the tripartite meeting held on Wednesday, but was opposed by some trade unions.
The meeting, chaired by Bandaru Dattatreya, Minister of State (I/C) Labour & Employment, was held to discuss the proposed amendments to Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act’ 1952.
Overall, however, the Government’s proposal to widen the coverage of EPF & simplification of procedures required for compliance were welcomed by most participants, EPFO said in a release.
Among the key proposals for amendments, the government plans to widen the threshold of social security coverage from 20 employees to 10, proposes to do away with the ‘Schedule of Industries’ and come up with a ‘Negative List’. Promulgation of a comprehensive Labour Code on Social Security to bring together all legislations relating to social security is also being contemplated, the EPFO said.