Sun Apr 06 05:10:03 UTC 2025: ## Maharashtra to Crack Down on Fake Mathadi Workers with Digital Overhaul
**Mumbai, April 6, 2025** – The Maharashtra government announced a major crackdown on fake Mathadi workers, pledging a digital overhaul of the registration process to combat extortion and protect genuine laborers. Labour Minister Akash Fundkar revealed plans for a robust verification system, including Aadhaar linking, biometric attendance, and employer verification, to identify and eliminate fraudulent registrations.
The move follows growing concerns from industry bodies about the misuse of the Mathadi Act, which governs manual workers in loading and unloading. Minister Fundkar stated that the number of fake workers, who extort businesses without performing actual labor, has risen significantly, creating an atmosphere of fear and disrupting industrial operations. Complaints have been received from multiple districts across the state.
The recent amendment to the Maharashtra Mathadi Act, defining manual work as a “core activity,” aims to further clarify the criteria for registration and weed out bogus entries. The government plans district-level audits of Mathadi boards and the formation of a high-level committee to reassess existing registrations and revoke illegitimate ones.
Minister Fundkar emphasized that the crackdown targets fraudulent individuals, not the Mathadi community itself. He accused certain union leaders and politically connected individuals of supporting fake registrations, vowing to prevent the misuse of the Act for personal gain or political influence. The government is committed to balancing labor rights with industrial growth and investor confidence, ensuring fair treatment for both workers and businesses. Further policy reforms and regulatory amendments are also under consideration.
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