Government 'seriously considering' of raising wage ceiling of ESI and PF: Minister

COIMBATORE: The union government is 'seriously considering' raising the wage ceiling of ESI and Provident Fund, minister of state for labour and employment, Kodikunnil Suresh said here today.

"In view of the demand from all the trade unions on the issue, a proposal to enhance the PF ceiling from the existing Rs 6,500 to Rs 15,000 is under serious consideration," he told reporters here.

Similarly, it was also proposed to increase the wage ceiling for coverage of employees under the ESIC Act from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000, as demanded by major trade unions, the minister, here to review the progress of various schemes being implemented by the ministry, said.

The ministry was also considering fixing Rs 10,000 as the minimum wages for workers in the unorganised sector, Suresh said, adding the proposal would sent to the Cabinet for approval.