Provident fund is a fund set up voluntarily between the employer and employees to serve as a security for the employees in case of their resignation, retirement, disability, or death. A provident fund is regulated by the government through the “Provident Fund Act” to protect rights and benefits to which employees are entitled.
The objective of the Provident Act is not only to promote financial welfare to employees but also to strengthen the saving system and to build strong foundation for the country’s financial stability.
A provident fund established under the act has a juristic person status which is separate from the employer’s juristic person. A management company undertakes to control and manage the fund by a group of committee members who are appointed through election. The registrar as prescribed by law is The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC also monitors performance of the management companies in charge of provident funds.