Clarification on Final withdrawal of PF for International Workers (IWs) from Non-SSA countries: EPFO

Clarification on Final withdrawal of PF for International Workers (IWs) from Non-SSA countries: EPFO Order dated 27.04.2022

कर्मचारी भविष्‍य निधि संगठन
Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation
श्रम एवं रोजगार मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार
Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India
मुख्‍य कार्यालय/ Head Office
भविष्‍य निधि भवन, 14, भीकाजी कामा प्‍लेस, नई दिल्‍ली-110066
Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan, 14, Bhikaiji Cama Place, New Delhi — 110066

No. IWU/12061/1/2022-IWU/7213

Dated: 27-04-2022

All Zonal Heads/PDNASS
All Officers in-charge of Regional Offices

Sub: Clarification regarding final withdrawal of PF for International Workers (IWs)- Reg.

Madam/Sir,

An audit observation has been brought to the notice of the Head Office regarding settlement of claims for final withdrawal of PF in respect of IWs who are from countries not having a Social Security Agreement with India (Non-SSA Countries), along with some grievances on the subject.

Substituted Para 69(1)(a) under Para 83 of the EPF Scheme permits final withdrawal by an IW from a Non-SSA country only after attaining 58 years of age in the following terms:

“69. Circumstances in which accumulations in the Fund are payable to an International Worker. — (1) An International Worker may withdraw the full amount standing to his credit in the Fund —

(a) On retirement from service in the establishment at any time after the attainment of 58 years: ”’.

In this regard, it is clarified that the IWs from Non-SSA countries are eligible for full withdrawal of their PF accumulations as per the provisions, after they attain the age of 58 years, provided they have ceased to be in employment of an EPF covered establishment.

Accordingly, the claims of IWs from Non SSA countries under substituted Para 69(1)(a) under Para 83 may please be processed on the above lines.

Yours faithfully,

(Udita Chowdhary)
Addl. Central PF Commissioner (HQ), IW Division

Source: www.epfindia.gov.in