There is some bad news in the offing for all Expats/International Workers, who are currently employed in India, by the EPFO(Employees Provident Fund Organization), which handles provident and pension funds for the organized sector employees in India. The existing norms have been tightened a bit. Earlier, contribution to PF (Provident Fund) and EPS (Employees Pension Scheme) was 12% of the monthly pay, this contribution was made mandatory by Indian Government in 2008. Withdrawals from these PF (Provident Fund) were permitted at the end of an expat’s employment in India. But according to these new regulations, now Expats/International Workers would be permitted to withdraw their accumulated balance only after they turn 58. Now, withdrawals are permitted only in case of Permanent Disability and Total Incapacity to work or in case of these suffering from three major diseases, Cancer, Leprosy and Tuberculosis.
However, an exemption has only been made in case of employees from three countries, Belgium, France and Germany, with which India has signed Social Security Agreements. Further details are available at:
Ritu's Corner 