In response to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha on 20th July 2023, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shri Rameswar Teli, provided details on the reforms in the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) and Employee State Insurance (ESI) for the betterment of laborers in the unorganized sector in India.
Reforms in the EPF and ESI – Rajya Sabha
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 95
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2023
REFORMS IN THE EPF AND ESI
- # SMT. SEEMA DWIVEDI:
Will the Minister of Labour and Employment be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government is considering to bring some kind of reforms in the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) and Employee State Insurance (ESI) for the better future of labourers working in the unorganized sector across the country;
(b) if so, the details of the process thereof;
(c) the details of labourers working in the unorganized sector during the last 5 years across the country, State-wise, and
(d)the number of labourers covered under EPF and ESI across the country so far,state-wise?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)
(a) to (d): The Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions (EPF & MP) Act, 1952 is applicable to factories and notified classes of establishment employing twenty or more employees with monthly EPF wages up to Rs.15,000/- per month. Similarly, the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Act, 1948 is applicable to all factories and establishments employing ten or more persons working in organized sector drawing wages up to Rs. 21000/- (Rs. 25,000/- for persons with disabilities).
The Code on Social Security, 2020 (the Code) notified on 29.09.2020 and envisages, inter-alia, framing of schemes for unorganised workers. Further, the Code for the first time enables an establishment having less than ten persons to join ESIC on voluntary basis. The provisions of the Code relating to Employees’ Provident Fund is applicable to every establishment in which 20 or more employees are employed without any reference to scheduled establishments.
The Government has launched e-Shram portal on 26.08.2021 for registration and creation of a Comprehensive National Database of Unorganized Workers. The details of State/UT-wise count of unorganised workers registered on e-Shram portal as on 13th July, 2023 are at Annexure-I.
There are 6.85 crores EPF contributing members [Universal Account Numbers (UANs contributed at least once)] in Financial Year 2022-2023, the State/UT-wise details are at Annexure-II. The State/UT-wise details of number of Labourers covered under ESI Scheme are at Annexure-III.
Rajyasabha
