Labour Dept Opens One-Time EPF, ESI Registration Window for Uncovered Workers

A special opportunity has been opened for employers and employees who remain outside the ambit of statutory social security schemes, with the Labour Department drawing attention to two one-time initiatives aimed at expanding coverage under the Employees’ Provident Fund and Employees’ State Insurance frameworks.

As per the provisions of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 and the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, it is mandatory for eligible establishments to register and cover all employees drawing wages within prescribed limits. However, authorities have observed that a segment of employers and workers continues to remain outside the EPF and ESI safety net, either due to lack of awareness or non-compliance.

To address this gap, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has introduced the Employees’ Enrollment Scheme–2025 and the Scheme to Promote Registration of Employers and Employees. These initiatives are designed as one-time compliance windows, allowing employers to voluntarily register their establishments and enroll eligible employees without facing retrospective coverage requirements or penal action.

Under the SPREE scheme, employers and employees who register during the notified period will be deemed covered from the date declared by them. Importantly, no records for prior periods will be sought, offering relief to establishments hesitant to register due to concerns over backdated liabilities. The SPREE window will remain open for six months, from July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.

The Employees’ Enrollment Scheme–2025 addresses another critical gap by enabling employers to voluntarily enroll employees who were left out of EPF coverage during the period between July 1, 2017 and October 31, 2025. The enrollment window under this scheme will remain open from November 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026, providing a defined timeframe to regularise coverage for previously excluded workers.

Labour officials noted that social security schemes such as EPF and ESI play a crucial role in safeguarding workers against income shocks arising from illness, disability, retirement and unforeseen emergencies. Lack of coverage often leaves workers vulnerable, particularly those employed in small establishments and informal sectors.

By offering a non-punitive pathway to registration, the schemes seek to remove barriers that discourage voluntary compliance. Authorities believe that this approach will help bring a larger section of the workforce under formal social protection, while also improving regulatory oversight and workforce data accuracy.

The Labour Department has appealed to all eligible but uncovered employers and employees in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to avail themselves of the benefits offered under EES–2025 and SPREE. Officials stressed that timely enrollment would not only ensure statutory compliance but also secure long-term benefits for employees and their families.

The initiatives form part of a broader national effort to strengthen labour welfare and expand social security coverage, particularly in regions with a high proportion of small enterprises and informal employment. In the island context, where tourism, construction and service sectors employ large numbers of workers, the schemes are expected to have significant impact.

With the enrollment windows already in effect, authorities have urged stakeholders to act within the stipulated timelines to avoid missing the opportunity. The Labour Department has reiterated that participation in these schemes represents a step towards a more secure and resilient workforce, aligned with statutory labour welfare objectives.