**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Starred Question No. 7 in Lok Sabha, concerning the enrolment under the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF). The question was posed by Shri Benny Behanan and Adv Dean Kuriakose, and was answered on December 1, 2025. The document details the current regulations, potential changes, and the inclusion of gig workers under the EPF scheme.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Current EPF Enrolment (as per EPF scheme 1952):**
* All employees of an establishment registered with EPFO are mandated to be covered if their wage is up to Rs 15,000/-.
* There is no minimum wage criteria for EPF coverage under the 1952 scheme.
* **Wage Ceiling Increase Considerations:**
* Raising the wage ceiling for EPF coverage is determined through extensive stakeholder consultations, including Trade Unions and industry associations.
* Considerations are made for the impact on take-home salary and hiring costs.
* **Gig Worker Inclusion (as per the Code on Social Security, 2020):**
* "Gig worker" is defined as an individual performing work outside a traditional employer-employee relationship.
* The Code on Social Security, 2020, provides for social security measures for gig and platform workers. These measures include life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old age protection.
* The Code also provides for setting up a Social Security Fund to finance the welfare scheme.
* Section 113 provides for registration of unorganized workers, gig workers, and platform workers.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Employees**
* **Impact:** Employees earning up to Rs 15,000/-, in EPFO-registered establishments, are mandated for EPF coverage. The wage ceiling increase will impact take-home salary.
* **Action Required:** None explicitly mentioned.
**Stakeholder: Employers**
* **Impact:** Employers with EPFO-registered establishments must ensure EPF coverage for eligible employees. The wage ceiling increase will impact hiring costs.
* **Action Required:** None explicitly mentioned.
**Stakeholder: Gig Workers**
* **Impact:** Are now considered under the Code on Social Security, 2020 for social security measures, allowing for registration and benefits.
* **Action Required:** Registration under Section 113 of the Code on Social Security, 2020.
**Stakeholder: Trade Unions and Industry Associations**
* **Impact:** Their input is considered when determining potential wage ceiling increases.
* **Action Required:** Participation in consultations.
Key Entities Referenced
Employees' Provident Fund (EPF): A social security scheme in India providing financial security for employees after retirement.
Code on Social Security, 2020: Indian legislation that provides for social security benefits, including provisions for gig workers and platform workers.
EPF scheme 1952: The original scheme which mandates coverage for employees of establishments registered with EPFO, drawing wage up to Rs 15,000/-
Ministry of Labour and Employment: The Indian government ministry responsible for labour welfare and employment.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 7
TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025
ENROLMENT UNDER EPF
*7. SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:
ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE:
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to
state:
(a)the details of the current rate of minimum salary for enrolment
under Employees' Provident Fund (EPF);
(b)whether the Government has any plans to increase the ceiling of
the minimum salary to Rs. 30,000 for enrolment under EPF and if
so, the details thereof;
(c)whether the gig workers in the service economy be included under
this programme; and
(d)if so, the details thereof and if not the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
* *****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 7 FOR 01.12.2025 BY SHRI BENNY
BEHANAN and ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE REGARDING ENROLMENT
UNDER EPF.
(a): As per provision of the EPF scheme 1952, all employees of
an establishment registered with EPFO, drawing wage up to Rs
15,000/- are mandatorily required to be covered. There is no criterion
for minimum wages for coverage under EPF scheme 1952.
(b): Raising the wage ceiling for coverage under EPFO is done
based on extensive stakeholders’ consultations including Trade
Unions and industry associations as the same will have impact on the
take-home salary of employees and on the hiring cost for employers.
(c) & (d): As per the Code on Social Security, 2020, 'gig worker' has
been defined as a person who performs work or participates in a work
arrangement and earns from such activities outside of traditional
employer-employee relationship. Under the Code on Social Security,
2020, there are provisions for social security measures for gig
workers and platform workers on matters relating to life and
disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits,
old age protection, etc. The Code also provides for setting up a Social
Security Fund to finance the welfare scheme. Further, Section 113 of
the Code on Social Security, 2020 provides for registration of
unorganized workers, gig workers and platform workers.
*****