EPFOA urges CPFC to empower field offices, strengthen compliance mechanisms

The Employees’ Provident Fund Officers’ Association (EPFOA) has urged the Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC) to equip EPFO field formations with adequate authority and modern technological tools to effectively deal with cases of default and non-compliance.

In a letter addressed to CPFC Ramesh Krishnamurthi on December 11, the association highlighted what it described as systemic and systematic compliance failures, brought to light by the recent fire accident at the Birch by Romeo Lane Night Club in Goa. The tragic incident, which occurred on December 7, claimed 25 lives.

According to the EPFOA, five of the deceased were tourists, while the remaining 20 were employees of the nightclub, raising serious concerns over labour law compliance and social security coverage of workers.

The association stressed that field officers often lack sufficient powers and effective digital tools to take timely action against errant establishments. It said empowering field formations with clear authority, robust enforcement mechanisms, and modern compliance-monitoring systems would help prevent such lapses and ensure better protection for employees.

EPFOA further called for urgent administrative reforms to strengthen enforcement at the ground level, asserting that improved compliance would not only safeguard workers’ rights but also enhance accountability among employers.