Maharashtra Labour Minister Aakash Fundkar Pushes Local Job Quotas For Project-Affected Families, Orders MIDC Safety Inspections

Mumbai: Maharashtra Labour Minister Aakash Fundkar announced that the government will make concerted efforts to provide employment opportunities in private companies across Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Raigad districts for the children of project-affected families and local residents.

The announcement came during a high-level meeting held at the Mantralaya regarding the employment of youth from the project-affected Koli community in private industries and to address issues faced by workers in the Kurkumbh MIDC area in Pune.

The meeting was attended by MLA Rahul Kul, President of the Fishermen’s Association Chandu Patil, Principal Secretary I.A. Kundan, Labour Commissioner Dr. H.P. Tummod, Deputy Secretary Swapnil Kapadnis, Additional Labour Commissioner Balasaheb Wagh, Dr. Rupesh Koli, Hemant Vaiti, Mathadi Board President Nikhil Wane, and other senior officials.

Minister Fundkar stated that there are 16,443 factories operational in the Konkan division, employing over 1.3 million workers. As per the state's industrial policy, eligible local residents must be given 50% of supervisory-level jobs and 80% of other category jobs in private industries. He assured that the government would ensure compliance with these provisions to secure local employment.

Strict Action Ordered Against Non-Compliant MIDC Companies

Minister Fundkar also directed officials to inspect pharmaceutical and chemical industries in the Kurkumbh MIDC region of Pune immediately and submit a report.

He emphasized strict enforcement of safety and environmental norms, instructing action against companies that fail to comply with safety regulations or cause pollution.