Question : BENEFITS OF EPF TO LABOURERS

(a) whether only 10% of the industrial labourers in Rajasthan are getting the benefit of Employees Provident Fund;

(b) if so, the reasons therefore;

(c) the details of the concrete policy of the Government to provide benefits of labour law to cent per cent labourers;

(d) whether the Government are aware about activities of touts and agents in EPFO office; and

(e) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to check the activities of agents and touts in EPFO with a view to stop the exploitation of labourers?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI SANTOSH GANGWAR)

(a): 8.82 lakh members of Rajasthan Region are enjoying the benefits under the Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.

(b): The Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 is applicable to 180 classes of establishments and industries, employing 20 or more employees. Establishments employing less than 20 employees and those not yet covered by the Notification of the Government do not fall under the purview of the Employees’ Provident Funds & Misc Provisions Act, 1952.

(c): A large percentage of the workforce is in the unorganised sector. The Employees’ Provident Funds & Misc Provisions Act, 1952 operates on the linkage of an employer – employee relationship, which is often difficult to establish in the unorganised sector.

(d) & (e): Whenever such a case comes to notice, strict action is taken. Complaint Boxes have been provided in the facilitation centres and the employers as well as the employees have been given full access to the Public Relations Officer/Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner & Regional Provident Fund Commissioner to ventilate their grievances. Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation has already established a transparent Public Grievance Handling System.