Prioritise Workers' Welfare in Amendments to Labour Laws

 Prioritise Workers' Welfare in Amendments to Labour Laws

- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Presentation on Proposed Amendments to Various Labour Laws

 

Mumbai, July 13: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed that the ongoing amendments to various labour laws should give top priority to safeguarding the broader interests of workers. Chairing a presentation on the proposed labour law reforms at his official residence, Varsha, the Chief Minister said that while framing the State's rules in line with the new Central labour laws, suitable changes should be incorporated wherever necessary to protect Maharashtra's interests.

 

Labour Minister Adv. Akash Fundkar attended the meeting, while Minister of State for Labour Adv. Ashish Jaiswal participated through video conferencing.

 

The Chief Minister directed officials to carefully examine every proposed amendment. Referring to the provision replacing Labour Courts with the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), he instructed that a district-wise report on pending labour-related cases be submitted. He also stressed the need to ensure that Chief Judicial Magistrates are not overburdened with labour-related cases. He directed officials to examine the corresponding provisions under the new Central labour laws and take decisions based on factual verification.

 

Chief Minister Fadnavis further said that while amending the Maharashtra Mathadi, Hamal and Other Manual Workers (Regulation of Employment and Welfare) Act, steps should be taken to prevent dual membership of workers engaged in the construction sector by ensuring that they are enrolled with either the Construction Workers Welfare Board or the Mathadi Board, but not both.

 

He also directed the department to prepare welfare schemes for every category of workers in the unorganised sector in accordance with the provisions of the new Central labour laws, with specific inclusion of domestic workers. He instructed that the proposed amendments to the labour laws be placed before the State Cabinet for approval.

 

Additional Chief Secretary of the Labour Department I. A. Kundan made a presentation on the proposed amendments. Principal Secretary (Industries) P. Anbalagan, Labour Commissioner H. P. Tummod, Deputy Secretary Swapnil Kapadnis and other senior officials were present.