Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: An organisation representing sugarcane cutters in Maharashtra has issued a three-month ultimatum to authorities, threatening protests if their demands are not met. Key among their requests is the transfer of the cane cutters’ welfare board from the Social Justice Department to the Labour Department, the inclusion of all workers involved in sugarcane harvesting under the Mathadi Workers Act, and assurance of fair wages, reported The Times of India.
Jeevan Rathod, the organisation’s president, highlighted these issues during a recent meeting at the sugar commissionerate. He emphasised the health challenges faced by cane cutters, particularly female workers, and pointed out discrepancies in the sugar industry’s operations, including sugar pricing. Rathod also raised concerns about the educational rights of the workers’ children.
“The sugar commissioner has promised concrete solutions within the next three months. If these commitments are not fulfilled, we will initiate protests,” Rathod stated.
Each year, approximately 1.2 to 1.5 million sugarcane cutters from regions such as Marathwada, Khandesh, and Vidarbha migrate to various parts of Maharashtra and neighbouring states like Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu for harvesting.
