Mangaluru : Regional provident fund commissioner (grade-I), Mangaluru, Julian Tobias on Wednesday said the principal employers should ensure provident fund (PF) benefits even for their contractual workers.

Participating in an interactive session organised by Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to create awareness on Pradhan Manthri Rozgar Protsahan Yojna (PMRPY), new developments in PF scheme and enrolment campaign, the officer said, “The employers should mandatorily ensure that the PF amount is deducted in favour of the outsourced workers.”

Mentioning about a recent letter from cabinet secretary in this regard, the officer also promised to initiate action in case of any specific complaints with substantiating proof.

The officer informed the gathering that the department has already been investigating into a similar complaint against Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (Mescom) Limited.

He also appealed to the gathering to make use of online interactive grievance redressal system which gives a better podium for the beneficiaries to address their queries in a jiffy.

When a participant raised a similar issue related to contractual workers at Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), Regional PF commissioner (grade-II) K Prashanth categorically stated, “Before making payment (to contractor), the main employer should keep track of the PF deductions online through electronic challan returns.”

He also informed the gathering about the soon-to-be-launched online settlement of claims, by furnishing the universal account number (UAN) of the employer, Aadhaar number and bank account number of employees.

Assistant PF commissioner (Mangaluru) Ravi briefed the gathering about Pradhan Manthri Rozgar Protsahan Yojna to generate employment opportunities and also the new developments in EPF scheme, where the employers are given three months of time ending March to make declarations, towards enrolment of their employees omitted from PF till now.

KCCI president Jeevan Saldanha, vice president Vathika Pai, secretaries Praveen Kumar Kalbhavi and P B Abdul Hameed and treasurer Ganesh Bhat were present.