MATHADIS TO STRIKE ON MONDAY OVER CHANGES IN LAW

APMC: Transaction at the APMC market may suffer on Monday as Mathadis, or headloaders, working in all APMC in the state have declared a one-day strike.

The Mathadis are protesting against the changes made in the Mathadi Act by the state industry minister through a government resolution (GR).

The Mathadis, who form an integral part of the wholesale market, have been fighting moves by the government to make changes in the Mathadi Act which governs them and provides benefits.

Speaking at a press conference, MLC Narendra Patil, general secretary of Maharashtra Rajya Mathadi Transport and Kamgar Union, said, “On February 10, state industry minister Subhash Desai issued a GR which provided exemptions from Mathadi and APMC Act for businesses. This was an arbitrary decision.”

According to Patil, “Last year we had a discussion in the assembly on Mathadi and APMC Act, wherein labour minister Prakash Mehta had said any change will be made only after a tri- party committee involving Mathadis, traders and government ministers and officials have discussed it.”

He said, “We want the chief minister to withdraw the GR on Monday. A committee should immediately be formed to look into the issues and the interest of the Mathadis should be safeguarded.”

“If this does not happen, we will intensify our agitation and not rest till we achieve our goal. We want justice for the mathadis,” said Patil.