wblc.gov.in SASPFUW State Assisted Scheme of Provident Fund for Unorganised Workers West Bengal

Organisation : Commissionerate of labour Govt. of West Bengal
Facility : State Assisted Scheme of Provident Fund for Unorganised Workers (SASPFUW)

Scheme Details : https://www.wblc.gov.in/saspfuw
Website : https://www.wblc.gov.in/

SASPFUW State Assisted Scheme

The unorganised workers account for about 93 per cent of the total workforce and there is a steady growth in it over years in India.

Related : WBLC West Bengal Beedi Workers Welfare Scheme : www.statusin.in/20981.html

It is argued that the major security needs of the unorganised workers are food security, nutritional security, health security, housing security, employment security, income security, life and accident security, and old age security.

The Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (EPF & MP Act) which applies to specific scheduled factories and establishments employing 20 or more employees and ensures provident fund to a small proportion of the population as smaller establishments are excluded from the benefits of the said Act. As a result, a vast majority of Labour force in the unorganized sector are beyond the benefits under the said Act.

OBJECTIVE OF THE SCHEME :
To provide scope of Provident Fund to the workers in the Unorganised Sector, the State Assisted Scheme of Provident Fund for Unorganized Workers (SASPFUW) was introduced by the Govt. of West Bengal, vide Labour Department’s Resolution No 180-IR dated 24-01-2001 & Resolution No 305-IR dated 19-02-2001and implemented by the Labour Directorate, West Bengal.

Eligibility of SASPFUW State Assisted Scheme

** All wage employed & self-employed workers between the age of 18 & 60 years in the unorganized sector. So far 46 Unorganised Industries & 12 Self-employed Occupations are covered.
** Average family income of a worker not more than Rs. 6500/- per month.
** Place of work should be in West Bengal.
** Workers already covered under the ‘Employees’ Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 are not eligible. Lists of 46 Unorganised Industries & 12 Self-employed Occupations are appended below.

Features of the Scheme :
** Subscription: Initially each subscriber used to pay at the rate of Rs.20/-per month and the State Government contributed to an equal matching amount.

** The State Government in the Labour Department enhanced the rate of worker’s contribution from Rs. 20/- to Rs.25/- per month with effect from 1st April, 2012 vide Labour Department’s Resolution No.1024-IR Dated 31st October, 2012.

** Government Contribution: The State Government in the Labour Department also enhanced the Government’s matching contribution from Rs.20/- to RS. 30/- per month with effect from 1st April, 2012 vide Labour Department’s Resolution No.1024-IR Dated 31st October, 2012.

** The Government contribution will deem to be deposited in the account of subscriber on the same day as the subscription paid by the subscriber.

** Payment of Interest: Interest on the balance at credit of the Subscribers will also be paid by the State Government annually at the rate at which interest is allowed on deposit under the General Provident Fund by the Government from time to time.

** Final Payment: On attainment of the age of 60 years or in the event of the account becoming inoperative due to death or discontinuance as a subscriber under the Scheme, the total cumulative amount along with interest will be refunded to the workers or to his/her nominees or legal heirs.

** Loans & withdrawal: A subscriber will be allowed one withdrawal of Rs. 1000/- provided he/she has made 48 months contributions and he/she has Rs. 2500/- in his/her credit.

** Lock-in-Period : If a subscriber-worker does not want to continue as a subscriber under the Scheme, he/she may be given final payment of the total balance lying at his/her credit (that is the worker’s own contribution, matching contribution of the Govt. and the interest) after expiry of the lock-in-period of three years from the date of his enrollment.

** Revival of an Account: The account of a subscriber will be automatically closed if he /she does not make any contribution continuously for three financial years provided that such account shall be revived by the Regional Labour Welfare Commissioner (RLWC) i.e. ALC w.e.f. current financial year on an application made by the subscriber stating reasons for such non- payment and found to be sufficient by such RLWC. No arrear contribution shall, however, be allowed.

** Samajik Mukti Card to be given to each worker by virtue of which a worker can check out the amount of money deposited in his account and the benefits available to him / her.

** The Scheme was introduced in the year 2001 and is wholly funded by the State Government.

FAQ On SASPFUW

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) State Assisted Scheme of Provident Fund for Unorganised Workers (SASPFUW)

Q: What is SASPFUW?
A: SASPFUW stands for State Assisted Scheme of Provident Fund for Unorganised Workers. It is a government scheme implemented in various states in India to provide social security and financial assistance to unorganized workers.

Q: Who are considered unorganized workers?
A: Unorganized workers refer to individuals engaged in various occupations and activities in the informal sector, such as street vendors, construction workers, domestic workers, agricultural laborers, and other similar occupations. These workers often lack formal employment benefits and social security coverage.

Q: What is the objective of SASPFUW?
A: The objective of SASPFUW is to promote social security and financial inclusion for unorganized workers by providing them with access to a provident fund. The scheme aims to help these workers save for their future and create a safety net for retirement, emergencies, and other financial needs.

Q: How does SASPFUW work?
A: Under SASPFUW, unorganized workers are encouraged to contribute a portion of their earnings to a provident fund account. The government provides assistance by matching the worker’s contribution up to a certain limit. The accumulated funds in the provident fund account can be withdrawn by the worker in accordance with the scheme’s rules and regulations.