The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning

¶ 01 Mr. Deputy Speaker, the answer is as follows.

¶ 02 (a) (i) A registered member of the EPF can currently obtain information related to EPF accounts via internet services and via SMS to mobile phones. (ii) — (iii) — (iv) When providing information on EPF accounts to members, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, which manages the Fund’s investments, does not possess the telephone numbers or addresses necessary to send auto-generated messages to members, as those details are not held by the EPF Department of the Central Bank. Therefore, such messaging is not presently possible. However, at the time of benefit disbursement and during documentation for amendments, members’ phone details are obtained by the EPF. Accordingly, the EPF Department of the Central Bank is proceeding with mechanisms to send auto-generated messages to EPF members. The following methods are being implemented: 1. Auto-generated SMS messages are sent regarding the current status of EPF pre-retirement benefit applications (30 per cent advance) and regular EPF benefit applications. 2. Where name/NIC/member account amendments cannot be completed at the time of submitting documents, members are later informed via SMS of the status of the relevant amendment. (v) The current information systems for the EPF were initiated around the year 2000 and have not been upgraded to suit current and future needs. As such, the Central Bank and the Department of Labour presently operate two separate data systems, creating difficulties for both members and employers. In line with the Government’s digitalization plan and the “Digital Access Across the Public Service” programme to deliver efficient public services, steps have commenced to introduce an integrated digital system with the necessary software so that other Labour Department services can also be accessed online. The proposed system will include: I. A single application for employers to pay EPF/ETF. II. Interconnection between data systems of the Central Bank and the Department of Labour, removing the need for separate updates to each. III. Facilities for employees to enter job-related information through their member accounts, to check EPF/ETF balances online and receive auto-generated messages. IV. A Labour Inspection application linked to a Complaints Management System, assigning time-bound responsibilities to departmental staff, with reminders for overdue tasks and a dashboard for senior management to monitor, thereby improving work and staff management. V. Auto-generated status updates to service users regarding their complaints/issues. VI. KYC-based identity verification and registration within the system, eliminating the need for the Department to separately collect and verify beneficiary information.

¶ 03 (b) Does not arise.