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Thane-based Windsor Machines faces heat over ₹24 crore in unpaid worker dues
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State Government promises action
Mumbai – The serious issue of 99 workers of Thane-based Windsor Machines Limited being deprived of their outstanding dues of approximately ₹24 crore, pending for the last 25 years, and 24 workers passing away while waiting for their statutory rights, was raised in the Legislative Council by BJP Member of Legislative Council (MLC) and former Minister Pramod Jathar. He drew the attention of the House and the State Government to deliver justice to these aggrieved workers through a ‘Point of Information’. Considering the gravity of the matter, the State’s Labour Minister, Advocate Akash Phundkar, assured that appropriate action would be taken.
Spearheading the cause of the aggrieved employees, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s ‘Surajya Abhiyan’ investigated the 25-year-old dispute and formally brought to the attention of MLA Pramod Jathar, the Labour Minister, and the Labour Secretary the injustice faced by the 99 workers.
Key facts presented in the House by MLA Pramod Jathar
In the 25 years spanning from the year 2000 to 2026, the establishment deprived 99 workers of a total of 9 types of statutory payments, including salary, gratuity, and bonus. The establishment earned massive profits by selling its Thane-based property for ₹162 crore, but the elderly and ailing workers, whose hard work built the establishment, were offered a nominal amount of only ₹4.5 crore in an attempt to settle the matter.
The establishment also illegally ‘wrote off’ Rs 7 crore 41 lakh of the workers’ dues, causing them severe financial loss. While waiting for their dues, 24 workers passed away, while the remaining workers are facing severe financial hardships.
Key demands put forward by MLA Pramod Jathar
- The State Government must take immediate necessary action to ensure the full payment of the workers’ outstanding Rs 24 crore.
- Given the seriousness of the case, a high-level meeting under the leadership of the Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council, comprising workers’ representatives, the Labour Minister, the Labour Commissioner, and the establishment management, should be organised at the earliest.
- A detailed investigation by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) should be conducted into the alleged PF scam and other financial irregularities committed by the establishment.
Presiding Officer directs Government to clarify stand; Workers await justice
Following the raising of this issue by MLA Pramod Jathar, Presiding Officer Sanjay Khodke took immediate cognisance of the matter and directed the Labour Minister to clarify the government’s stand. To this, Labour Minister Akash Phundkar stated, that the government has taken serious cognisance of this matter.
After the discussion, MLA Pramod Jathar handed over the memorandum of the aggrieved workers to the Labour Minister. Now, the eyes of the workers and their families are on whether the remaining surviving workers will get justice in time following the government’s assurance.
