“The Maharashtra government will take strict action on the threat of forged Matidi workers and plans to conduct a digital overhaul of the registration process for the head load agency,” said Labour Minister Akash Fundkar.
The government is developing a powerful verification mechanism to identify and eliminate fake workers who are in fact “disguised blackmailers.” Minister told pti.
He said the government will not tolerate fraudulent factors at the expense of real workers and industry stakeholders.
Mr Fundkar’s remarks have aroused dissatisfaction due to industry bodies suspected of abuse of the Mathadi Act.
The Maharashtra Legislature last month passed the Maharashtra Mathadi, Hamal and other manual labor (regulation of employment and welfare) (Amendment) bill, defining manual work as a “core activity” for the welfare of head loads and porters, thus eliminating the work type of work that would remove Bogus Workers.
“Over the years, the number of fraudulent Mathadi workers – the number of people who have not actually been engaged in manual labor and have obtained false registrations – has created an atmosphere of fear and blackmail in several industrial areas of the state.”
“We are committed to protecting real Mathadi workers, but we do not allow fake workers to hijack the system,” he said.
Mathadi system managed under Maharashtra Hamal, Mathadi and other manual workers (regarding employment and welfare regulations) bills were created to protect manual workers engaged in loading and unloading activities.
“However, the lofty goal of the bill is to be diluted by abuse, causing chaos in the labor market and increasing costs for the industry,” the minister noted.
He said that complaints have been received from various regions including Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Korhapur and chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
“Several businessmen and entrepreneurs have contacted us and said they were forced to hire Mathadi workers who neither show up for work nor contribute their actual labor. This has increased financial pressure and disrupted the business environment.”
The minister did not name any, accusing a portion of union leaders and individuals with political ties to support these false registrations. He added: “These so-called Mathadi workers are actually disguised ransomists. We will not allow abuse for personal gain or political influence.”
“To address this issue, the government is planning a digital reform of the registration process,” Mr Fundkar said.
“The government is developing a powerful verification mechanism to identify and eliminate fake workers. This includes linking Mathadi workers’ registration with Aadhaar, biometric attendance systems and employer verification,” he said.
In addition, the Ministry of Labor will conduct a regional audit of all Mathadi boards. The Minister said a high-level committee would be formed to reevaluate existing registrations and terminate the found registration.
“We are not targeting the Mathadi community; in fact, we aim to empower real workers. But we have to clean up the systems to do so,” he stressed.
The minister also hinted that new policy reforms should be carried out and existing regulations are revised if necessary.
The government is committed to balancing labor rights with industrial growth and investor confidence. “Investors should not be harassed. The law should serve workers and businesses fairly,” he said.
The minister added: “This government stands with honest workers and honest businessmen. We will not tolerate false workers and will not allow harassment of the industry. Strict action will follow.”
publishing – April 6, 2025 at 10:40 am IST
