Can an Employer Extend PF and ESI Benefits to Apprentices Engaged Under the Apprentices Act, 1961?

Can an employer voluntarily provide Provident Fund (PF) and Employees' State Insurance (ESI) benefits to apprentices, even when the law does not require their enrolment? This question frequently arises during statutory compliance audits, especially when organisations want to provide additional social security benefits to young trainees. Consider a manufacturing company engaging 50 apprentices under the National Appre…