Provident Fund & Employees State Insurance (PF & ESI)
What is a Provident Fund & Employees' State Insurance (PF/EFIC)?
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is a savings scheme introduced under Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Act, 1952. Every Company or Organization having 20 or above Employees has mandatorily obtain PF Registration.
For EFP, both the employee and the employer contributes equal amount, which is 12% of the salary of the employee. However, the employee contributions may differ. Employees can contribute more than 12% of their salary voluntarily. However, in such a case, the employer is not bound to match the extra contribution of the employee.
More about PF
It is administered and managed by the Central Board of Trustees that consists of representatives from three parties, namely, the government, the employers and the employees. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) assists this board in its activities. EPFO works under the direct jurisdiction of the government and is managed through the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The EPF scheme basically aims at promoting savings to be used post-retirement by various employees all over the country. Employees’ Provident Fund or EPF is a collection of funds contributed by the employer and his employee regularly on a monthly basis.
Eligibility Criteria
Organizations with 20 or more employees are required by law to register for the EPF scheme, while those with fewer than 20 employees can also register voluntarily. Employees drawing less than Rs 15,000 (Basic+ Dearness allowance) per month, it is mandatory to open an EPF account by the Employer. Employee, whose ‘basic pay’ is more than Rs. 15,000 per month, can also become a member of the EPF, and can register with the consent of your employer and approval from the Assistant PF Commissioner.
EPF Contribution
The Employees' Provident Fund is a fund where both the employer as well as the employee contributes a part of the salary. These contributions are made regularly on a monthly basis. The employer contribution is calculated as 12% of total of the following components - (basic wages + dearness allowance + retaining allowance). An equal contribution is paid by the employee also. If your organisation employs less than 20 employees (along with certain other pre-requisites as per the EPFO rules), the contribution rate from employee is limited to 10% for the below-mentioned organizations:
• Industries declared as sick industries by the BIFR
• Organizations suffering annual loss much more as compared to their net value.
• Coir, guar gum, beedi, brick and jute industries.
• Organizations operating under wage limit of ₹ 6,500.
Employer's Contribution towards EPF
The minimum amount of contribution to be made by the employer is set at a rate of 12% of ₹ 15,000 (although they can voluntarily contribute more).
Benefits of PF Registration
• As per Employee Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme if no group insurance scheme in a corporation than the organization shall contribute 0.5% on monthly basis as a premium.
• Member can withdraw from this accumulations to cater to financial exigencies in life – No need to refund unless misused.
• The family entitled to receive Provident Fund amount or to nominee appointed by a member, in case of death.
• The PF account can be transferred while switching jobs. Universal Account Number (UAN) linked to the Aadhar will start to facilitate the linking of the previous accounts. It can be carried forward to the new employer.
• You can withdraw Marriage, Education needs for self, child or any sibling from your account up to 50% contribution made. Member can withdraw from its EPF account for house repair, maintenance of house or repayment of house loan.
• Member can withdraw from its EPF account for house repair, maintenance of house or repayment of house loan
Employees' State Insurance ESI
Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (ESI Act) is a social security legislation aimed at providing benefits to employees and it is managed according to rules and regulations stipulated in the ESI Act 1948.Every Company or Organization having 10 or above Employees has mandatorily obtain ESIC Registration.
ESI fund, maintained by ESIC, is applicable to employees earning ₹21,000 or less per month to provide the cash and medical benefits to them and their families. This fund is a contributory fund in which both the employer and employee contribute 3.25% and 0.75% respectively.
Eligibiliy
As per the ESI Act of 1948, a Company or an organization having more than 10 employees (in some states it is 20 employees) who have a maximum salary of Rs. 21,000/- has to mandatorily register with the ESIC. Also, the employees who Registered with EPFO has mandatory need to register with the ESIC.
Contribution
The employee's contribution rate is 0.75% of the wages and employer's is 3.25% of the wages paid/payable in respect of the employees in every wage period. Employees in receipt of a daily average wage upto Rs.137/- are exempted from payment of contribution. Employers will however contribute their own share in respect of these employees.
Benefits
• Medical Benefits :
The Employee State Insurance Corporation takes care of an individual's medical expenses by providing reasonable medical care. This cover comes into effect from day one of the individual's employment.
• Maternity Benefits :
Pregnant/confinement woman are entitled to maternity benefits. It is payable for upto 26 weeks, it can be extended for a month on medical advice. Employers are required to contribute their wages for 70 days in the preceding two contributions periods.
• Sickness Benefit :
ESIC ensures that there is a flow of cash coming into the employee's household during medical leave. 70% of the average daily wages of an employee is paid during medical leave for a maximum period of 91 days in two successive benefit periods.
• Unemployment Allowance :
ESI provides a monthly cash allowance for a maximum period of 24 months in case of permanent invalidity due to a non-employment injury or due to involuntary loss of employment.
• Dependants Benefits :
In the unfortunate event of the demise of an employee during the employment, Dependant benefit is paid at the rate of 90% of wage in the form of monthly payment to the dependants.
• Disablement Benefits :
Permanent disablement benefit is payable at the rate of 90% of wage in the form of monthly payment.
• Funeral Expenses :
An amount of Rs.10,000/- is payable to the dependents or to the person who performs last rites from day one of entering insurable employment.
FAQS
Employees that draw less than Rs.15,000 per month need to get EPF registration mandatorily, and the employee drawing the Pay above the prescribed limit needs to get permission from the assistant PF commissioner to become a member.
08 December 2021
It requires 20-25 days to obtain PF registration in India.
Yes. PF has a direct impact on the pension of an employee. Of of the amount contributed by the employer towards EPF, 8.33% of it goes to the EPS, i.e., Employee Pension Scheme.
If the employee does not want PF registration he can fill the Form 11 at the time of joining the job. The employee can also submit a letter addressing the employer stating that he wishes to opt out of the Provident Fund Scheme.
The law of India states that it is mandatory for every employee to register within ESI. It is considered a statutory responsibility. A factory or establishment has to apply for the scheme within 15 days from the date it becomes eligible.
The ESI scheme is a self-financing scheme and is primarily built out of funds from employers and employees collectable monthly at a fixed rate of wages paid.
The ESIC scheme does not cover the workers or the employees that earn more than Rs.21,000 per month and in the case of a person with disabilities, the maximum wage is Rs. 25,000
The government had introduced various health care benefits for poor families. The families that are covered under the NHPS scheme will be able to access medical facilities for medical treatment and their dependents.