- By Priyanka Koul
- Thu, 12 Dec 2024 11:03 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Labour Ministry is upgrading its IT systems to enhance services for the country’s vast workforce. Starting next year, Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) Employees will be able to withdraw their provident funds directly from ATMs, Union Labour Secretary Sumita Dawra announced.
"We are settling claims quickly and working to simplify the process to improve the ease of living. Beneficiaries and claimants will soon be able to access their claims conveniently through ATMs with minimal human intervention," Ms Dawra stated.
She added that the Labour Ministry is continuously improving systems, with updates rolling out every few months. “By January 2025, we expect a major leap forward in service delivery,” she said.
Currently, the EPFO has over 70 million active contributors, making it one of the largest social security organisations in the country.
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Sumita Dawra also highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to improve EPFO services to further enhance the ease of living.
When asked about plans to extend social security benefits to gig workers, she noted that progress was at an advanced stage but refrained from specifying a timeline.
"A lot of work has been done, and a scheme has been outlined, which is now in the finalisation process," she said. The proposed benefits for gig workers may include medical health coverage, provident funds, and financial assistance in cases of disability.
To address these issues, a committee comprising representatives from various stakeholders has been formed to design a framework for providing social security and welfare benefits to gig and platform workers.
Gig and platform workers were formally defined in the Code on Social Security, 2020, enacted by Parliament. The Code also includes provisions for their social security and welfare.
On the topic of unemployment, Dawra pointed out a notable decline in the unemployment rate. She also shared encouraging updates on unemployment and workforce participation. “In 2017, the unemployment rate was 6%. Today, it has dropped to 3.2%,” she noted, attributing the improvement to ongoing policy efforts.
Additionally, she emphasised the growth of the workforce. "The Labour Force Participation Rate is increasing, and the Worker Participation Ratio, which reflects the number of people actually employed, has reached 58 per cent and continues to rise," she added.
The Labour Ministry is trying to simplify PF processes, improving accessibility, and expanding social security coverage to make life easier for employees across the country.