Maharashtra's Labour Minister, Akash Fundkar, has announced that the state will take firm action against the rising issue of fraudulent Mathadi workers. These individuals, who are not engaged in manual labor, have been misusing the registration system for personal gain, creating an environment of fear and extortion in several industrial areas. The government aims to address this problem through a comprehensive digital overhaul of the Mathadi worker registration process. The government is introducing a strong verification system to ensure that only genuine workers are registered. This system will link Mathadi worker registrations to Aadhaar, use biometric attendance, and incorporate employer verification. These measures are designed to identify and remove fake workers, who have become a significant concern in industries across the state, according to Minister Fundkar.
Fundkar emphasized that the government will not tolerate exploitation of the system at the expense of legitimate workers and industries. His statements come in the wake of growing dissatisfaction among industry bodies over the misuse of the Mathadi Act. Last month, the Maharashtra legislature passed an amendment to the Mathadi, Hamal, and Other Manual Workers (Regulation of Employment and Welfare) Act. This amendment clarifies that manual work is a “core activity” and aims to eliminate the presence of bogus workers in the system.
“The number of fraudulent Mathadi workers has risen sharply over the years. These individuals are not engaged in actual manual labor, yet they hold bogus registrations, leading to extortion and fear in industrial areas,” Fundkar explained. He added that the government is committed to protecting the genuine Mathadi workers but will not allow the system to be hijacked by fraudulent elements. The Mathadi system was originally introduced to protect laborers involved in manual work like loading and unloading. However, Fundkar noted that the misuse of the system has caused significant disruption in labor markets and increased costs for businesses.
Complaints have surfaced from various regions, including Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Kolhapur, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Local entrepreneurs have reported being forced to employ Mathadi workers who neither show up for work nor contribute to the labor, putting unnecessary financial strain on businesses. Minister Fundkar has also pointed fingers at certain union leaders and politically connected figures who are allegedly backing these fake registrations for personal or political gain. He stressed that these individuals are "extortionists in disguise" and that the government will not tolerate the misuse of the Mathadi Act for personal or political benefits.
In response to these challenges, the government plans to digitize the entire Mathadi registration process, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency. The Labour Department will also conduct district-level audits of Mathadi boards to identify and remove illegitimate registrations. A high-level committee will be formed to review all existing registrations and cancel those found to be fraudulent.
The Minister clarified that the goal is not to target the Mathadi community but to empower genuine workers by cleaning up the system. He also hinted at possible policy reforms and regulatory amendments if needed. “Our aim is to balance labor rights with industrial growth,” Fundkar concluded. “Investors should not be harassed, and the law should serve both workers and businesses fairly. We stand with the honest worker and the honest businessman, and strict action will be taken against fraudulent elements.”