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The government on Saturday rolled out the Employee Enrolment Scheme 2025, aimed at accelerating workforce formalisation and promoting ease of doing business. The initiative encourages employers to voluntarily declare and enrol eligible employees under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Under the scheme, employers will not be required to remit an employee’s share of contribution if it was not deducted earlier. Only a nominal penal damage of ₹100 will be levied, the Ministry of Labour and Employment said in a statement. The scheme was launched by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya during the EPFO’s 73rd Foundation Day celebrations at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Addressing the gathering, Mandaviya lauded EPFO’s pivotal role in ensuring the social and financial well-being of India’s workforce and urged the organisation to “script a new chapter in citizen-centric service delivery” guided by renewed purpose and vision. “EPFO is not merely a fund—it represents the trust of India’s workforce in social security,” he said. “As we celebrate this Foundation Day, it must ignite new motivation and energy, inspiring all officers to chart a vision for the years ahead. This vision will guide EPFO’s journey from Sankalp to Siddhi—from resolve to realisation,” he added. setting benchmarks Emphasising efficiency, transparency, and empathy as the cornerstones of reform, the Minister said that every reform must translate into tangible benefits for workers. “EPFO must continue to cement citizens’ faith by ensuring fairness, speed, and sensitivity in service delivery. Let it set global benchmarks in social security as we move towards Viksit Bharat 2047,” he added. Labour Secretary Vandana Gurnani commended EPFO’s transformation from a compliance-driven body to a citizen-centric institution. “Behind every file lies a worker, a family, and a dream. Each worker must be treated with dignity and respect—for social security is not just about systems, it is about people,” she said. Highlighting EPFO’s central role in implementing the Prime Minister’s Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY) announced on August 15, 2025, Gurnani said the programme seeks to incentivise 3.5 crore new jobs and expand formal employment across sectors. “EPFO’s stewardship of this visionary initiative reflects the government’s confidence in its institutional strength,” she noted, urging the organisation to evolve from social security to national prosperity. EPFO Central Provident Fund Commissioner Ramesh Krishnamurthi reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to reform and technological advancement. “Through initiatives such as the Centralised Pension Payment System, Aadhaar and Face Authentication, and the revamped ECR system, EPFO has taken major strides toward seamless, technology-driven service delivery,” he said. He announced that the upcoming EPFO 3.0 platform will further enhance efficiency and accessibility. “New initiatives such as simplified withdrawal categories and the Viswas Scheme have already eased compliance for employers. Our focus remains on strengthening trust, expanding coverage, and ensuring that every worker experiences EPFO as a partner in progress,” he added. Published on November 1, 2025
