AITUC Pushes for Higher EPFO Wage Ceiling to Benefit More Workers

The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has called for an upward revision of the EPFO wage ceiling, contending that the existing ₹25,000 threshold fails to adequately protect workers across multiple sectors. The union body has demanded that the ceiling be raised to ₹30,000, citing the need to include a broader section of the workforce in the mandatory provident fund scheme.

AITUC representatives argue that the current ceiling, which determines eligibility for EPFO coverage, has become outdated given inflation and wage growth patterns across Indian industries. The existing threshold, they contend, excludes deserving employees who fall just above the limit but remain vulnerable to inadequate retirement security.

The demand reflects broader concerns within India's labour movement about the adequacy of social security coverage for the organised and semi-organised workforce. Trade unions have repeatedly flagged that statutory wage ceilings often fail to keep pace with cost-of-living increases, effectively reducing the number of beneficiaries in key pension and provident schemes.

The issue comes amid ongoing discussions between government bodies, employers, and labour representatives regarding pension security and worker welfare. AITUC's push for the higher threshold is expected to feature prominently in upcoming consultations on EPFO policy modifications.