Mathadi Act to stay, 3,000 workers get Wadala homes: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis
Synopsis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis used the 93rd birth anniversary of Mathadi movement founder Annasaheb Patil to deliver three big promises: no repeal of the Mathadi Act, homes for 3,000 workers in Wadala, and a 50-year redevelopment vision for the Vashi APMC Market — while putting unauthorised labour groups on notice.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis categorically ruled out repeal of the Mathadi Act at a rally in Vashi on 25 September 2026 .
Approximately 3,000 Mathadi workers are set to receive modern homes in Wadala after FSI and project approvals were cleared.
All 36 Mathadi Boards across Maharashtra will be restructured and subjected to independent panel audits.
The Vashi APMC Market will be redeveloped to international standards with a 50-year vision, creating sustainable employment for workers.
Special education and skill development schemes for workers' children will be launched through SARTHI and the Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation .
A high-level meeting will be convened to crack down on unauthorised groups operating in the name of the labour movement.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, 25 September 2026, categorically ruled out any repeal of the Mathadi Act, assuring unorganised labourers that the legislation providing social security and legal protection to Mathadi workers would not only remain intact but be further strengthened. Speaking at a labour rally in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, he also announced that approximately 3,000 Mathadi workers would receive housing in Wadala and that the Vashi APMC Market would be redeveloped to international standards over the next five decades.
Mathadi Act: No Repeal, Only Reinforcement
Fadnavis addressed persistent rumours about the possible repeal of the Mathadi Act head-on, calling the law 'a protective shield for workers.' He stated that rather than dismantling the legislation, the government intended to bolster it. The remarks came at a rally organised at the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Vashi to mark the 93rd birth anniversary of the late MLA Annasaheb Patil, founder of the Mathadi movement.
The Chief Minister also flagged the problem of unauthorised elements operating under the garb of the labour movement and said they were actively harming workers' interests. He announced that a high-level meeting with labour leaders and officials would be convened soon to take strict action against such groups.
Wadala Housing and Board Restructuring
On the housing front, Fadnavis confirmed that obstacles blocking the Wadala housing project had been cleared, with the necessary Floor Space Index (FSI) approvals granted. Around 3,000 Mathadi workers are now set to receive modern homes, with the state government pledging to pursue additional housing projects in the future.
He further announced that the empowerment and restructuring of all 36 Mathadi Boards across Maharashtra had been initiated. Independent panel audits will be conducted to ensure operational transparency. Pending dues related to wages, Provident Fund (PF), gratuity, bonus, house rent allowance (HRA), and accident compensation are to be resolved promptly, he added.
Vashi APMC Redevelopment: A 50-Year Vision
The Chief Minister underscored the need to modernise the Vashi APMC Market, which he described as once being a major commercial hub in Asia when it was established 50 years ago. Given shifting trade dynamics and rising turnover, the market will be redeveloped to international standards, with the government providing all required underground and above-ground FSI. The modernised facility is expected to generate more sustainable employment opportunities for Mathadi workers over the long term.
He also commended Marketing Minister Jayakumar Rawal and the Labour Department for strictly enforcing the rule capping gunny bag weights at 50 kg, a measure aimed at reducing physical strain on workers.
Education and Skill Development Push
Fadnavis urged the children of Mathadi workers to aspire beyond manual labour, encouraging them to pursue careers in medicine, engineering, chartered accountancy, and civil services. Special schemes for higher education and skill development will be formulated through the Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation and the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute (SARTHI), with full state backing.
State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik and Marketing Minister Jayakumar Rawal, who also addressed the gathering, reiterated the government's commitment to worker welfare, educational advancement, and the modernisation of both labour-related facilities and the Vashi market infrastructure. With the Wadala approvals now in place and board restructuring under way, the government's next steps on implementation will be closely watched by Mathadi workers across Maharashtra.
Point of View
And the BJP-led Mahayuti government cannot afford to cede ground here to the Opposition. Yet the credibility of these pledges will be judged against a familiar template: the Wadala housing project has reportedly faced bureaucratic clearance hurdles for years, and announcing that obstacles are now 'cleared' is not the same as delivering keys. The 36-board restructuring, if implemented with genuine audits, could meaningfully improve transparency — but independent oversight bodies in Maharashtra's labour architecture have a mixed track record. The broader signal, however, is clear: in an environment where informal labour groups feel squeezed, a chief ministerial assurance that the Act will be strengthened — not diluted — carries immediate reassurance value, even if the implementation timeline remains vague.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mathadi Act and why is it significant?
The Mathadi Act is a Maharashtra legislation that provides social security, legal protection, and welfare benefits to Mathadi labourers — unorganised workers engaged in head-load and allied work. It is significant because it gives this vulnerable workforce access to wages, PF, gratuity, and housing benefits that are otherwise unavailable to unorganised labour.
Why was there concern about the Mathadi Act being repealed?
Rumours had circulated that the Maharashtra government might repeal or dilute the Mathadi Act. CM Fadnavis directly addressed these at the Vashi rally on 25 September 2026, calling the Act 'a protective shield' and pledging to strengthen it rather than end it.
Who will receive housing in Wadala and when?
Approximately 3,000 Mathadi workers are set to receive modern homes in Wadala, Mumbai, after the state government cleared the necessary FSI and project approvals. CM Fadnavis indicated the path is now open, though a specific delivery timeline was not announced.
What is the Vashi APMC Market redevelopment plan?
The Vashi APMC Market — once described as a major commercial hub in Asia — will be redeveloped to international standards with a 50-year vision, according to CM Fadnavis. The government will provide all required underground and above-ground FSI to create a modern international market intended to generate sustainable employment for Mathadi workers.
What action is being taken against unauthorised labour groups?
CM Fadnavis warned that certain unauthorised groups operating in the name of the labour movement are harming workers' interests. He announced that a high-level meeting with labour leaders and officials will be convened soon to take strict action against such elements.
