The Industry, Energy, Labour and Mining Department, Government of Maharashtra on April 30, 2026, issued the Draft Maharashtra Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Labour) Rules, 2026.
The following has been stated:
• The Draft Rules establish a comprehensive framework for labor welfare and administrative compliance across various sectors in the state. These rules apply to diverse establishments, including building and construction, audio-visual work, motor transport, plantations, and contract labor.
• A primary feature is the mandatory electronic registration through a state portal, where employers shall provide full establishment details and digital signatures. Registration fees are tiered based on employee count, ranging from ₹500 for up to 50 employees to ₹10,000 for more than 300. Delays in registration beyond 60 days incur progressive late fees reaching up to 100% of the original amount. Once a complete application is submitted, the registration certificate is typically issued within seven working days, or it is deemed automatically registered.
• The rules also place significant emphasis on employee health and formal employment terms. Employers are required to provide free annual medical examinations for their staff, with the initial check-up occurring within 30 days of appointment.
• Furthermore, no employee can be legally engaged without receiving a formal appointment letter in the prescribed format (Form-7). Operationally, employers shall notify the Inspector-cum-Facilitator electronically within 30 days of the commencement or closure of an establishment.
• For administrative clarity, the rules define "family" to include dependent spouses, children under 18, and parents/grandparents, provided their annual income is less than ₹5 lakhs.
• Any objections or suggestions must be submitted to the Commissioner of Labour, Maharashtra, by June 14, 2026.
[Notification no. - Misc-1026/C.R.14/Lab-10]
