The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) is a statutory body that manages the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), a social security scheme for employees in India. Lately, the EPFO has extended the applicability of Provident Fund for International workers employed in India as well. Employers are required to file a monthly return with the EPFO for all employees, including international workers. The monthly return includes details such as the employee’s name, Universal Account Number (UAN), and EPF contributions made by both the employer and the employee. The return must be filed within 15 days from the end of the month for which it is being filed.
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Eligibility Criteria of Provident Fund for International Workers in India
The eligibility criteria for contribution to EPF are the same for both Indian and international workers. Both the employer and the employee are required to make monthly contributions towards the EPF. International workers are required to provide their passport, work permit, and other relevant documents to their employer for verification.
International workers can withdraw their EPF contributions once they leave their job in India or transfer their EPF balance to a new employer’s EPF account. International workers who complete ten years of service in India are eligible for an EPS pension. The EPFO has made it possible for international workers to avail the benefits of EPF, ensuring that they are not disadvantaged when it comes to social security benefits in India.
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) is a statutory body that manages the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), a social security scheme for employees in India. EPFO has made provisions for international workers who are employed in India to ensure that they can also avail the benefits of EPF. The social security system in India is governed by the Employees’ Provident Funds (EPF) Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, which manages three main schemes – the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme (https://www.epfindia.gov.in/site_en/AboutEPFO.php), 1952, the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995, and the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme (EDLI), 1976.
Here are the Key Provisions of EPFO With Respect to International Workers:
- Eligibility: International workers who are employed in India for a minimum period of six months are eligible to contribute to EPF. The eligibility criteria for contribution to the EPF are the same for both Indian and international workers.
- Contribution: Both the employee and the employer are required to make monthly contributions towards the EPF. The contribution amount is fixed at 12% of the employee’s basic salary plus dearness allowance (DA). The employer contributes 8.33% of the employee’s basic salary plus DA towards the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), subject to a maximum limit of Rs. 15,000 per month.
- Documentation: International workers are required to provide their passport, work permit, and other relevant documents to their employer for verification. The employer then registers the employee with EPFO and obtains a Universal Account Number (UAN) for the employee.
- Withdrawal: International workers can withdraw their EPF contributions once they leave their job in India. However, if they leave India before completing five years of continuous service, they will have to pay tax on their EPF withdrawals. If they complete five years of continuous service, the withdrawals are tax-free.
- Transfer: If an international worker changes their job in India, they can transfer their EPF balance to the new employer’s EPF account. The EPFO provides an online facility for EPF transfer, which is known as the ‘One Member One EPF Account’ (OMOEPA) facility.
- Pension: International workers who complete ten years of service in India are eligible for an EPS pension. The pension amount is based on the employee’s average salary and the number of years of service. The maximum pension amount is Rs. 7,500 per month.
Conclusion
EPFO has made provisions to ensure that international workers in India can also avail the benefits of EPF. International workers who are employed in India for a minimum period of six months are eligible to contribute to EPF, and they can withdraw their EPF balance or transfer it to a new employer’s EPF account. International workers who complete ten years of service in India are also eligible for an EPS pension. These provisions ensure that international workers are not disadvantaged when it comes to social security benefits in India.