New Delhi, Dec 08: Centre today said it would decide on case-to-case basis on exempting units in special economic zones (SEZs) from making contributions to EPF for five years. "The decision shall be taken on a case-to-case basis," Labour Minister Sahib Singh Verma informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question whether the Centre proposed to exempt units in SEZs from making contributions to employees provident fund.
Verma said it had been decided that in respect of SEZs, the states could apply for exemption to the Central government under Section 16(2) of the EPF Act.
In the case of exemption for employees insurance scheme, the minister said the state government, being the appropriate authority, would take a decision as per the powers provided under the act.
To another query on whether the government proposes to bring fixed term contractual employment in place of permanent jobs, Verma said it was under consideration.
A proposal to amend industrial employment central rules to include 'fixed term employment workman' in the schedule was under consideration of the Centre at present, he said, adding that the amendment would be done by way of notification.
On the proposed contract labour in semi-government organisations, he said a final decision was yet to be taken.
A group of ministers, headed by Planning Commision Deputy Chairman K C Pant, had been set to examine the proposals for amendment to the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act and the matter had been deliberated in detail, he said.
Bureau Report