Confused About Mathadi Laws and Costs at Mumbai Airport? Let's Discuss Your Options

Hello, We run a retail shop within Mumbai's CSMIA. Previously, we used contract manpower from an agency for routine tasks such as loading, unloading, and moving goods within the airport. Recently, Mathadi Unions approached us, insisting we use their services and citing obligations under Mathadi Laws.

Need for Clarity on Mathadi Laws

We need clarity on the following:

1. We thought Mathadi laws would not apply to us since we operate within CSMIA, which is a secure zone.

2. The rates proposed by the Mathadi Unions are significantly higher than what we currently pay. We have been unable to find any schedule of charges on the Maharashtra government's website that aligns with our business type.

3. We need to know if there is an alternative to this situation that can be handled without disruption.

Thank you,

AK

Dear AK,

Your query involves the applicability of the Maharashtra Mathadi, Hamal and Other Manual Workers (Regulation of Employment and Welfare) Act, 1969 (the "Mathadi Act") in the context of retail operations within Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).

The Mathadi Act aims to protect unorganized labor by regulating their employment and welfare. Whether the Act applies within CSMIA is a complex issue. The Act does apply to certain areas and industries in Maharashtra, but it's not entirely clear whether it extends to secure zones like airports. It might be best to seek legal advice to clarify this point.

The rates proposed by Mathadi unions are typically based on government notifications. If you're unable to find a schedule of charges that aligns with your business, you may want to directly contact the Maharashtra Labour Department or the Board of Mathadi Workers for clarification.

If you're looking for alternatives, you might want to consider negotiating with the Mathadi unions. In some cases, employers have been able to reach agreements that allow them to use their own contract labor, while still contributing to the welfare of Mathadi workers. Alternatively, you could explore the possibility of mechanizing some of your operations to reduce your reliance on manual labor.

Please note that these are general suggestions and it's always advisable to seek legal counsel in such matters to ensure compliance with labor laws.