On April 28, 2025, the Maharashtra Government officially enacted Act No. XXV of 2025, amending the Maharashtra Mathadi, Hamal and Other Manual Workers (Regulation of Employment and Welfare) Act, 1969. The law aims to modernize protections for manual laborers and streamline administrative mechanisms.
🔑 Key Highlights of the 2025 Amendment:
1. Clearer Definition of “Manual Work”
A new clause defines manual work as physical labor done without machines, including loading, unloading, stacking, carrying, weighing, and measuring.
2. “Unprotected Worker” Redefined
An unprotected worker now refers specifically to manual workers aged 18–65 (and beyond if medically fit), but excludes:
- Workers using machines or automation in factories
- Employer’s family members
3. Updated Registration Rules
Section 3 now provides for:
- Rigorous processes for registration and removal from registers
- Waiting lists and fees for workers and employers
4. Advisory Committee Changes
- The State Government can act independently if the Advisory Committee is not functional
- Committee members now serve 5-year terms
- Vacancies must be filled within 6 months
5. Age Bar for Workers Raised
The minimum age for employment in scheduled labor has been raised from 14 to 18 years, strengthening child labor protections.
6. Terminology Updates Throughout
The word “worker” is now uniformly replaced with “unprotected worker” to clarify applicability and safeguard vulnerable laborers.
This amendment enhances the legal framework protecting Mathadi and Hamal workers, aligns the Act with contemporary labor standards, and gives the government more operational flexibility.
