June 22, Colombo (LNW): The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has disclosed that approximately 15,000 cases are currently pending against institutions that have failed to pay Employees Provident Funds (EPF). As of December 31, 2021, nearly 5,000 of these cases had become inactive.
Several factors contribute to the backlog, including defunct institutions at registered addresses and company directors who have left the country. This information emerged during a COPA meeting in Parliament, which was convened to examine the Auditor General’s reports and assess the Department of Labour’s performance for 2021 and 2022.
In response to this issue, COPA has instructed relevant officials to compile and submit a comprehensive report detailing employers who have defaulted on EPF payments across all districts. This directive aims to provide a clearer understanding of the scope of the problem and to facilitate more effective enforcement actions.
Additionally, COPA addressed concerns regarding the lengthy processing times for welfare fund applications. These delays are often caused by incomplete information provided by applicants. COPA emphasized the need for streamlined processes to ensure timely and efficient disbursement of welfare funds to eligible individuals.
