New Delhi: The Ministry of Labour and Employment is on a mission to modernize its IT infrastructure to deliver seamless and efficient services to India’s vast workforce. In a groundbreaking move, EPFO subscribers will soon be able to withdraw their provident funds directly from ATMs. This major upgrade, announced by Labour Secretary Sumita Dawra, is expected to roll out by January 2025.
Faster Claims, Minimal Hassle
“We are committed to improving the ease of living for employees. By 2025, EPFO beneficiaries will be able to access their funds and claims with minimal human intervention using ATMs,” Dawra stated in an interview. She emphasized that the modernization will expedite claims processing and simplify the overall experience for over 70 million active contributors currently served by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
Continuous system upgrades are being implemented, with noticeable improvements every few months, according to Dawra. These changes reflect the government’s larger goal of enhancing service delivery for working professionals.
Gig Workers to Benefit from Expanded Social Security
In another significant development, the government is advancing efforts to extend social security benefits to gig and platform workers. A comprehensive scheme, now in its final stages, aims to provide health coverage, provident fund facilities, and financial assistance for disabilities.
“This is a transformative step. We’ve made considerable progress and are working with stakeholders across various sectors to finalize a framework,” Dawra remarked. These efforts stem from provisions in the Code on Social Security, 2020, which officially recognized gig and platform workers, a rapidly growing segment in India’s workforce.
Committees and Collaboration
A dedicated committee has been established to develop social security and welfare schemes tailored to gig workers’ needs. The initiative underscores the government’s recognition of gig economy workers’ contribution to the economy and its resolve to provide them with essential protections.
With the planned implementation of ATM-enabled provident fund withdrawals and expanded social security for gig workers, the Labour Ministry is setting a new benchmark for employee welfare and service delivery. These initiatives highlight a forward-thinking approach to addressing the evolving needs of India’s workforce.
