PF for contract staff of municipal bodies

“Contract labourers are being continued on service every year and hence they will be brought under the PF umbrella. The municipal bodies will be directed to deduct the employee’s contribution from the salary. The contract labourers serving local bodies stand to benefit from the measure,” the minister said at a press meet here on Sunday. Kharge was in the City to take part in a private function.

The Minister said that several pro-labour decisions have been taken in the meeting of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), held recently. The proposals have been forwarded to Finance Ministry.

The deposits with the EPFO total to Rs 1.57 lakh crore. It is being contemplated to invest the money in the state-owned enterprises, banks and bonds issued by the Union government. Prior permission from Finance Department will be sought if the money could be invested in banks other than State Bank of India. It would be ensured that the money remains safe even if the returns are low.

The family of a PF member used to get Rs 60,000 following the death of the member. The amount has now been enhanced to Rs one lakh. A committee has been constituted to bring in amendments to certain legislations relating to provident fund of state government employees, Kharge said.