At present out of the 35 lakh subscribing to EPF,  14 lakh are getting pension of less than Rs. 500. This is less than the pension given to the senior citizens etc in states like Kerala, with out any contributions. The Central Trade Unions have already put a strong demand to increase the minimum pension to Rs.1,000/- This is fully justified.  The plea  of the employers and the government that that 0.63 % will have to be paid in addition to the contribution of 8.33% is not acceptable to the workers. However, if  any extra amount has to be paid, it should be paid by the employers and the government.

In the same way, the interest rate of the present 9.5% should be increased for EPF account, the unions have demanded. The government and the employers want to reduce it. This also is not acceptable to the workers.

The meeting of Central Board of Trustees of EPFO tomorrow has to take a favourable decision, increasing both the Minimum Pension and Interest Rate.