New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought reply from the Maharashtra government, the Grocery Markets and Shops Board of Maharashtra, and others on a petition filed by Pepsico (India) Holdings Pvt Ltd relating to a hiring matter.
A Bench headed by Justice BN Agarwal, while issuing
notice, directed the parties to maintain the status quo on the
issue. It posted the matter for hearing along with a similar
plea on August 10.
The Bombay High Court had asked Pepsico to provide work
to people who claim to be working for it and pay them in
accordance with a state government law -- the Maharashtra
Mathadi, Hamal and other Manual Workers (Regulation of
Employment and Welfare) Act, 1969 (Mathadi Act).
Pepsico has challenged the Bombay High Court verdict
directing it to make an application to the state government
under the law and the Grocery Markets or Shops Unprotected
Workers (Regulation of Employment and Welfare) Scheme, 1970,
framed under it.
The Mathadi Act had been enacted to regulate the
employment of unprotected manual workers engaged in
areas like loading, unloading and stacking in Maharashtra.
According to the soft drinks major, it is not covered
by the Act as it appoints only registered contractors
licensed under the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition)
Act, 1970, for loading and unloading manufactured goods.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, August 04, 2009, 20:01