Mihir Desai, the amicus curiae (friend of the court) appointed by the Bombay High Court to recommend measures for improving the conditions of sugarcane workers, has proposed introducing a law similar to the one for Mathadi workers (who carry heavy loads on their heads or backs). Desai, a senior advocate, has also recommended a structural overhauling of the board constituted for their welfare needs, reported Hindustan Times.
Desai, who submitted his recommendations to a bench led by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre, was appointed by the court suo motu following news reports about sugarcane workers.
In addition to recommending a structural overhaul of the Gopinath Munde Welfare Board to better align with ground realities and advocating for a law similar to the one for Mathadi workers, Desai has urged the state government to ensure the sugarcane workers’ work falls within the purview of the Bonded Labour Act, and accordingly apply the Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labours to them, as per news report by Hindustan Times.
The list also calls for the enforcement of the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970, and the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979, along with the registration of sugarcane labour contractors under these enactments.
Special attention was given to female workers, with recommendations for proper toilet and washing facilities, along with free or subsidized sanitary napkins.
