Code on Social Security, 2020: EPFO, ESIC alert! Modi government notifies draft rules; objections, suggestions invited

In a major development, PM Narendra Modi-led Central government has notified the draft rules under the Code on Social Security, 2020 and invited objections and suggestions, if any, from the stakeholders. While notifying the Code rules on Saturday, the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment sought objections and suggestions, making it mandatory to submit all details within a period of 45 days from the date of notification of the draft rules.

The draft rules provide for operationalisation of provisions in the Code on Social Security, 2020 relating to the Employees' Provident Fund, the Employees' State Insurance Corporation, gratuity, maternity benefits, social security and cess in respect of Building and Other Construction Workers, Social Security for Unorganised Workers, Gig Workers and Platform Workers, said a Labour Ministry statement on Sunday.

"The draft rules also provide for Aadhaar-based registration including self-registration by unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers on the portal of the Central Government."

The Labour and Employment Ministry has already initiated action for the development of such portal.

For availing any benefit under any of the social security schemes framed under the Code, an unorganised worker or a gig worker or platform worker shall be required to be registered on the portal with details as may be specified in the scheme.

The rules further provide for Aadhaar-based registration of building and other construction workers on the specified portal of the Central government and the state government or the State Welfare Board.

Where a building worker migrates from one state to another, he shall be entitled to get benefits in the state where he is currently working and this shall be the responsibility of the Building Workers Welfare Board of that state.

A provision has also been made in the rules regarding gratuity to an employee who is on fixed term employment.

The rules also provide for single electronic registration of an establishment including cancellation of the registration in case of closure of business activities.

Provision has also been made regarding manner and conditions for exiting of an establishment from EPFO and ESIC coverage.

The procedure for self-assessment and payment of cess in respect of building and other construction workers has been elaborated in the rules.

For the purpose of self- ssessment, the employer shall calculate the cost of construction as per the rates specified by the state or Central Public Works Department or on the basis of return or documents submitted to the Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

The rate of interest for delayed payment of such cess has been halved from two per cent every month or part of a month to one per cent.

Existing rules

Under the existing rules, the Assessing Officer has the power to direct that no material or machinery can be removed or disturbed from the construction site. Such power for indefinitely stopping of construction work has been withdrawn in the draft rules. Further, under the draft rules, the Assessing Officer can visit the construction site only with the prior approval of the Secretary of the Building and Other Construction Workers Board.

The rules have also provided for the manner of payment of contribution by the aggregators through self-assessment.