The Supreme Court today sought reply from the Maharashtra government, the Grocery Markets and Shops Board of Maharashtra, and others on a petition filed by Pepsico (India) Holdings relating to a hiring matter.
A Bench headed by Justice D K Jain, while issuing notice, directed the parties to maintain the status quo on the issue.
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 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.
