Now, Mathadi Workers’ Law to secure rights of all types of manual workers

Mumbai: The

Maharashtra Legislative Assembly

approved amendments to the Maharashtra Mathadi, Hamal and other Manual Workers (Regulation of Employment and Welfare) Bill, 2025 on Friday, despite resistance from MVA legislators. The legislation regulates unprotected manual workers, including Mathadis and Hamals (head-load labourers and porters), across Maharashtra’s specified employment sectors. The revised bill aims to enhance worker protection, ensure adequate workforce availability, and improve working conditions. The Act covers workers involved in loading, unloading, stacking, and goods transportation in various markets. However, certain sectors like iron and steel markets, salt pans, khokha making, and fishing industry are now excluded from its scope.
The government’s statement clarifies that an “unprotected worker” was previously defined as a manual worker in scheduled employment, while “worker” referred to anyone performing manual work, directly or through agencies, paid or unpaid. The absence of a clear definition for ‘manual work’ created implementation challenges, prompting the government to include its definition in the amended Act.
Labour Minister Akash Fundkar explained that the amendments address current needs of Mathadi workers. “These amendments shall protect Mathadi workers and all suggestions shall be considered. Manual workers will not face any injustice. Extortion, irregularities, gang wars shall be prevented. Fake or bogus Mathadi workers will be eliminated,” Fundkar said.
Opposition members Nana Patole, VijayWadettiwar, and Sunil Prabhu criticised the amendments, stating they would weaken worker protections. Patole suggested the changes favoured business interests over workers’ rights. BJP’s Atul Bhatkhalkar supported the bill, highlighting concerns about criminal gangs operating under the guise of Mathadi workers. Additionally, the Maharashtra Private Security Guards (Regulation of Employment and Welfare) (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was introduced for discussion next week.