Amid the ongoing festival of Diwali, dabbawalas in Mumbai have found themselves in a challenging situation, battling for fair treatment during the festive season. The Mumbai Dabbawala Association declared a four-day holiday for its workers from November 13 to 16 on account of Diwali. However, the occasion is clouded by concerns over the lack of Diwali bonuses and adequate holidays for dabbawalas. 

Subhash Talekar, president of the Mumbai Dabbawala Association, said, “We usually get only six to seven holidays a year. Even on government holidays, shops remain open, making it difficult for us to take a day off,” Talekar said. The association has appealed to customers for support during Diwali. Talekar urged customers to contribute one month’s salary as a Diwali bonus and not deduct salaries for the holidays that the workers are entitled to.