Ludhiana, Sept. 19 -- Thousands of organised workers in Ludhiana could come under mandatory provident fund, pension and insurance coverage after the union cabinet approved an increase in the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) wage ceiling from Rs.15,000 to Rs.25,000 a month.

The decision is particularly significant for Ludhiana, where the EPFO jurisdiction currently covers 6,965 contributing establishments and 3,60,844 contributing members, according to assistant PF commissioner Jagdish Gakhar.

The Centre expects the nationwide move to bring more than 51 lakh additional employees under mandatory EPFO coverage. The higher ceiling will bring employees drawing wages between Rs.15,000 and Rs.25,000 a month within the statutory so...