PF Judgment - A Missed Opportunity?
Legal Era|April 2019

As one of the most-awaited judgments of the SC on labor laws, the Court could have gone a step ahead to direct the government to consolidate and redefine wages across various labor laws to make it easier to do business in India

PF Judgment - A Missed Opportunity?

Special allowance is no longer ‘special’ - at least that is abundantly clear from the recent judgment of the Hon. Supreme Court (SC) of February 28, 2019, in relation to provident fund (PF) contributions. This judgment, which was keenly awaited since 2013, finally lays to rest the prevailing confusion and ambiguities in the interpretation of ‘basic wages’ under the Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (EPF Act) and on what allowances the employers must contribute PF.

The judgment delves into the question whether special allowance paid by an establishment to its employees would fall within the definition of ‘basic wages’ under the EPF Act. In several CTC structures, special allowance was nothing more than a balancing figure and was taxed accordingly.

This story is from the April 2019 edition of Legal Era.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the April 2019 edition of Legal Era.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM LEGAL ERAView All
If You Think Positive Covid Is A Big Opportunity
Legal Era

If You Think Positive Covid Is A Big Opportunity

Senior Vice President and Head of Legal, ESSAR CAPITAL, Badrinath Durvasula, holds forth on his professional journey, the essence of leadership, working from home, books and more…

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2020
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
Legal Era

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

JOINT VENTURE TRANSACTIONS

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2020
NEW ARBITRATION RULES
Legal Era

NEW ARBITRATION RULES

PUBLISHED BY THE LONDON COURT OF INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION (LCIA) AND INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (ICC)

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2020
M&A in the time of COVID and beyond
Legal Era

M&A in the time of COVID and beyond

What is clear for those engaging in cross-border M&A is that countries around the world are becoming increasingly protective of their economies and industries, with new rules being introduced and existing rules being more widely applied

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2020
SWITZERLAND A DIFFERENTIATED APPROACH TO FRAUD
Legal Era

SWITZERLAND A DIFFERENTIATED APPROACH TO FRAUD

Swiss law interprets the offense of fraud in a special way where in addition to the characteristics of deception and damage as known in many jurisdictions, a qualified lie, i.e. a malicious approach, is required

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2020
JOINT VENTURE DISPUTES MEDIATING
Legal Era

JOINT VENTURE DISPUTES MEDIATING

Mediation has shown itself to be a powerful tool for bringing a speedy and effective end to crossborder disputes while preserving the commercial relationship between them.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2020
Recognition of HONG KONG INSOLVENCY PROCEEDINGS IN MAINLAND CHINA
Legal Era

Recognition of HONG KONG INSOLVENCY PROCEEDINGS IN MAINLAND CHINA

A TEST CASE IN THE MAKING?

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2020
CONFIDENTIALITY IN ARBITRATION: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN SINGAPORE
Legal Era

CONFIDENTIALITY IN ARBITRATION: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN SINGAPORE

Two recent developments in Singapore case law and legislation reflect a willingness to preserve confidentiality related obligations in all arbitrations

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2020
ESSENTIAL GOODS SERVICES UNDER IBC
Legal Era

ESSENTIAL GOODS SERVICES UNDER IBC

WHAT DOES IT ESSENTIALLY MEAN?

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2020
A BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S NEW VISION FOR THE AMERICAN WORKPLACE
Legal Era

A BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S NEW VISION FOR THE AMERICAN WORKPLACE

A LOOK AT THE KEY CHANGES PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN IS LIKELY TO MAKE ONCE HE TAKES OFFICE

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2020