Delays in EPF/ETF refunds
Attention needs to be drawn to the inordinate delays experienced in processing the estate workers’ applications for the refund of EPF/ETF dues, especially the retirees.
As we all know, the EPF was inaugurated in late 1959 and the ETF in 1980.
I quite appreciate the Central Bank and the ETF Board demanding perfect documentation in releasing these refunds due to some frauds in the past. However, requesting for contribution details by both these bodies would appear unreasonable as this is, in most instances, not easily possible for the following reasons:
A – Non availability of records- in some instances records available are torn, defaced and illegible.
B – Amalgamation/splitting of estates.
C – Change of Staff, both management and Office Staff.
D – Sale of estates.
In such instances the unfortunate victims are the estate workers who have to wait for ages for the refunds, and in the process, several have died too before receiving the refund.
As a long standing member of the esate staff, I am aware of the situation in most estate offices where in some instances the contribution details have even been burnt and the position on estates owned by private hands could be even worse.
In view of the foregoing a solution must be found as soon as possible and since the Central Bank and the ETF Board are better equipped to ascertain the members’ balances, can’t they eliminate the above requirement of submitting the contribution details, and simplify the procedure, to the satisfaction of all concerned, i.e. the management, staff and the applicants?
David Williams,
Derryclare Estate,
Kotagala