Navi Mumbai: In a significant victory for the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), the state government’s Industries Department has directed companies in Navi Mumbai to ensure that 80% of their workforce is composed of local residents. This directive comes as a result of the persistent efforts and campaigns led by MNS, which have brought this critical issue to the forefront.

Gajanan Kale, the City President of Navi Mumbai MNS, announced the success in a press conference held on Monday, 2^nd September, stating that the Industries Department has officially sent letters to all companies registered in the department, instructing them to strictly implement the government’s 80% employment mandate for locals. This development is seen as the first major success of MNS's ongoing campaign to secure jobs for the local population.

Over the past month, MNS workers have been actively campaigning across Navi Mumbai, conducting signature drives at key locations such as railway stations and residential areas, and collecting résumés from local youth. They also submitted a formal statement to Dilip Pawar, Commissioner of the Skill, Employment, and Industry Department, urging the strict enforcement of this government decision. A similar appeal was made to Shirsat, the Joint Director of the Industries Department in Thane.

Kale highlighted the potential impact of this directive, suggesting that if companies comply, four to five lakh job opportunities could be created for local youth. He also criticized the ruling leaders for organizing job fairs that offer limited and low-paying positions, such as security guard roles, rather than focusing on meaningful employment opportunities.

Kale challenged the leaders to provide transparency regarding the outcomes of these job fairs, questioning whether they truly delivered on their promises. He issued a stern warning that if substantial progress is not made in enforcing the 80% local employment mandate within the next fifteen days, MNS will take further action, including the potential dissolution of the Employment and Industries Department after Anant Chaturdashi.

The press conference was attended by MNS Employment Department General Secretary Sanjay Lonkar, along with party members Sachin Kadam and Yogesh Shete, who all expressed their commitment to continuing the fight for local employment rights.