Seafarer's PF Stuck Since 2014 — Finally Resolved
Stuck Since
2014
Industry
Cruise Ship
Issue
Bad Data
Resolution
20 Days
The Situation
Working on cruise ships since 2015, this seafarer's PF had been stuck since 2014. The previous employer had filled incorrect details on the EPFO portal—wrong joining date, no bank details, no Aadhaar details. As someone working overseas, resolving this in person wasn't possible.
Seafarer-Specific Challenges
Working at Sea
Cruise ship workers spend months at sea—they can't visit EPFO offices or follow up in person.
Incorrect Employer Data
False joining date entered by employer, missing bank and Aadhaar details—blocking any withdrawal attempts.
Previous Employer Coordination
Needed previous employer to correct the data—who has moved on and isn't prioritizing old employee requests.
The Resolution
EPF Buddy contacted the previous employer directly, got the joining date corrected, and ensured all required details were filled in. Despite the slow process, constant communication was maintained. Once corrections were complete, the withdrawal was processed in just 20 working days.
Result
PF stuck since 2014 finally withdrawn. Employer data corrected. Seafarer received their dues while continuing to work on cruise ships abroad.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaway