Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed the Labour Department to prioritize safeguarding labor welfare while implementing changes to labor laws. This directive was given during a meeting on labor law reforms at his official residence, ‘Varsha.’ Fadnavis also highlighted the need to align the state’s rules with central labor laws while ensuring Maharashtra’s specific interests are protected.
In the meeting, attended by Labor Minister Akash Phundkar and Minister of State for Labor Ashish Jaiswal via video conferencing, Fadnavis emphasized the importance of thoroughly examining all aspects of the proposed amendments. He specifically mentioned the shift from Labor Courts to Chief Judicial Magistrates (CJM) and requested a district-wise report on pending labor-related cases before the CJMs.
Furthermore, Fadnavis stressed the need to prevent overburdening Chief Judicial Magistrates with labor disputes. He instructed officials to cross-check these aspects with the new labor codes from the Centre and make decisions based on the actual situation on the ground. Addressing specific concerns, the Chief Minister highlighted the importance of streamlining memberships for construction workers under the Maharashtra Mathadi, Hamal, and Other Manual Workers Act.
He suggested that workers should be registered under either the Construction Workers Welfare Board or the Mathadi Board, but not both. Additionally, Fadnavis directed the department to develop dedicated welfare schemes for various segments of the unorganized sector, including domestic workers, in line with the new Central Labor Codes. The final proposal for these labor law amendments will be presented to the State Cabinet.
The government is reviewing key acts such as the Maharashtra Mathadi, Hamal, and Other Manual Workers (Regulation of Employment and Welfare) Act, 1969, and the Maharashtra Private Security Guards (Regulation of Employment and Welfare) Act, 1981, to align them with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Centre’s Four New Labor Codes.
