Bhuwalka Steel Indus. Ltd vs Bombay Iron & Steel Labour Bd. & Anr

The Supreme Court addressed the interpretation of 'unprotected worker' under Section 2(11) and 'worker' under Section 2(12) of the Maharashtra Mathadi, Hamal and other Manual Workers (Regulation of Employment and Welfare) Act, 1969. The Court upheld the Full Bench of the Bombay High Court's decision, which overruled the previous interpretation in Century Textiles & Industries Ltd. Vs. State of Maharashtra, clarifying that 'unprotected worker' includes all manual workers engaged in scheduled employment, not just casual workers. The Court affirmed the Full Bench's interpretation as correct and aligned with legislative intent, thereby dismissing the appeals against the High Court's ruling.