EPFO Acts on Complaint Against HVK Diamond Firm in Surat

Surat, Gujarat – In a significant move for labor rights, the Regional Office of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in Surat has initiated formal action against HVK International Private Limited, a diamond company based in Gotalawadi, following a detailed complaint by the Diamond Workers’ Union Gujarat (DWUG). The company is accused of violating the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions (EPF & MP) Act, 1952, by allegedly denying Provident Fund benefits to nearly 500 employees, most of whom are diamond workers.

The DWUG lodged the complaint on April 21, 2025, asserting that HVK International, holding PF code no. SRSRT0033462000, has not been extending mandatory Provident Fund coverage to its workforce despite many employees having served since 2012.

“This is not just a violation of law; it is a betrayal of workers who have been cutting diamonds for over a decade without any social security,” said Bhavesh Tank, vice-president of DWUG. “We demand protection for these workers and strict action against the employer,” he added.

The union has specifically requested that the EPFO inspect HVK International’s records under Section 10 of the EPF Act, initiate proceedings under Section 11, and enforce employer obligations under Sections 12 and 13 to ensure justice for the workers.

According to the complaint, the employer has allegedly failed to maintain the necessary PF records and returns, thereby putting hundreds of workers at financial risk—especially those nearing retirement or medical emergencies.

A senior official at EPFO Surat confirmed, “We have received the complaint from the DWUG and have begun suitable action as per the extant rules and provisions of the EPF & MP Act, 1952. The matter is under official scrutiny.”

The diamond industry in Surat, which employs lakhs of artisans, has often come under the scanner for lack of social security benefits. However, this is one of the rare cases where the EPFO has formally launched an investigation against a prominent company based on a workers’ union complaint.

“Many of the employees at HVK International have worked there for more than a decade without receiving their rightful Provident Fund. This is a systemic failure that needs to be rectified through legal enforcement,” Bhavesh Tank emphasized.

The action by the EPFO is being seen as a milestone in the ongoing struggle for better labor compliance in Surat’s diamond sector, which contributes significantly to India’s exports but has often lagged in workers’ welfare.

The DWUG has vowed to continue its fight until every eligible diamond worker receives their due PF benefits. “This is not the end. We will monitor the EPFO’s response and push for criminal proceedings if necessary,” Tank asserted.