Employees going for offshore work can fill PF data online

Organised sector employees going abroad for offshore work can now fill their PF details online for seeking the Certificate of Coverage -- which attests that the person concerned is covered under social security schemes, and get it in three working days.

Applicants will be able to enter their data such as names, PF account numbers and the period for which Certificate of Coverage is required, according to a circular of Employees' Provident Fund Organisation's (EPFO).

The retirement fund body said the software has been upgraded for the purpose allowing applicants to fill data online. This is expected to eliminate mistakes.

The employees need to download their applications after filling it up online and get it countersigned by employers.

The employer would have to submit the document to the concerned Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, who will issue the CoC within three working days.

At present, organised sector workers covered under social security schemes run by EPFO are exempted from contribution towards such schemes in other countries with whom India has singed social security agreements.

But for availing such benefit, they are required to produce CoC to the authorities of the visiting country.

At present, social security agreements with nine countries-- Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Luxembourg, France, South Korea, Netherlands and Hungary-- are in operation.