The three autonomous district councils in Meghalaya have no authority to issue or deny no-objection certificates (NOCs) to migrant labourers who wish to apply for a labour licence from the Labour Department, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong informed the Assembly today.
Tynsong, who holds the labour portfolio, stated this after Mawlai MLA Process T Sawkmie moved a zero hour notice.
The Deputy CM stated that the Meghalaya Identification, Registration (Safety and Security) of Migrant Workers Act 2020 provides for the protection and safety of migrant workers by insisting on mandatory registration.
“The act is to prevent the commission of offences of harassment, intimidation, discrimination and such other acts or omission that may affect the safety and security of migrant workers,” Tynsong told the house.
An employer who engages migrant labour will have to ensure that the workers are registered or face a fine.
Registered workers will be issued with a registration card that will be valid for 179 days. Renewal of these should be done 30 days prior to expiry.
