Great concern over the amendments to be proposed in the Employees Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 were deliberated on a very large scale in a meeting chaired by the Hon’ble Union Minister of State (Independent charge) for Labour & Employment.
The main proposal for amendments in the Employees™ Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provisions Act™ 1952 are
a) Bring the threshold of coverage from 20 employees to 10 employees.
b) To do away with the ˜Schedule of Industries™ and come up with a ˜Negative List™.
c) Uniformity in regard definitions of ˜Wages™ is proposed to be introduced in line with the ESI Act.
The ˜Schedule of Industries™ provided in the Act has already grown to more than 182 industries. This will ensure a wider coverage and extension of social security benefits to hitherto uncovered areas.
The Government of India is also contemplating promulgation of a comprehensive Labour Code on Social Security to bring together all legislations relating to social security.
