New Delhi, Sept. 17 -- The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved raising the wage ceiling for mandatory coverage under the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) from Rs.15,000 to Rs.25,000 a month, a move that will bring more than 5.1 million additional employees under the statutory social security system, according to a government release. The revised ceiling will come into force from September 17. The number of workers covered could eventually be much higher. "It can go up to 10 million," a senior labour ministry official said. The move will cover employees earning between Rs.15,000 and Rs.25,000 a month. Under the existing system, a fresh employee joining a covered establishment at a wage above Rs.15,000 is not automatically brought under mandatory EPFO coverage. "Under the revised ceiling, employees earning Rs.15,000-Rs.25,000 a month will come within the mandatory social security framework. They will get provident fund savings, pension and insurance protection," the senior official said. The move will also increase the cost for employers. "The additional burden on the employer will be Rs.600 per employee for a worker earning Rs.25,000 a month," the official said. Both the employee and the employer will contribute 12% each under the revised ceiling. The pension contribution under EPS will rise to Rs.2,080 a month from Rs.1,250, while the Centre will continue to contribute 1.16% towards the pension. The wage ceiling had remained unchanged at Rs.15,000 since September 2014....