Shillong: Migrant workers play a significant role in Meghalaya’s economy and are employed in several sectors, including construction, infrastructure, healthcare, hospitality, agriculture and manufacturing, state labour minister Methodius Dkhar has said.Dkhar was speaking at the state-level launch-cum-orientation programme for the recently amended Meghalaya Identification, Registration, Safety and Security of Migrant Workers (MIRSS) Rules, 2020, organised by the labour, employment and skill development department at the state guest house, ‘Taraghar’, here on Wednesday.The amended rules emphasise the need for coordination between Meghalaya and the states from which migrant workers originate, particularly in matters of identification, verification, emergency assistance and welfare.Dkhar said employers, contractors, industries and business establishments must ensure the safety of migrant workers and provide them access to benefits and protections available under govt regulations.“Proper registration is essential as it will enable the govt to identify where migrant workers are employed and assist them during emergencies,” the minister said.“Registration should not become a tool for harassment or create unnecessary barriers for workers and employers. The process must respect the privacy and dignity of workers, with the information collected used only for legitimate public purposes and handled responsibly,” he said.“The amended framework provides for closer coordination between police authorities and labour officials. Complaints relating to harassment, intimidation, discrimination, physical injury or other unlawful acts against migrant workers should be promptly registered, investigated and dealt with according to law,” the minister added.Dkhar stressed the need for coordinated efforts by police, district administration, employers, contractors, trade unions, civil society organisations and migrant workers for effective implementation of the new framework. He also urged deputy commissioners and district-level officials to work closely with the labour department.He said the labour department would have a central role in ensuring that the provisions of the act and rules are properly communicated and implemented across the state. He identified awareness, facilitation, inspection and enforcement as the ‘four key areas of focus’.An e-payment gateway for payment of fines and the standard operating procedure (SOP) for implementation of the MIRSS amendment act and rules were also launched by the minister.
