Nongpoh, Aug 8: Migrant workers without valid labour licenses employed in various factories and shops in 13mer, Byrnihat, were pushed back by members of the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) today.
The move comes amid fears that those recently evicted from Assam may slip into Meghalaya in search of work and shelter.
The pressure group targeted factories situated close to the Meghalaya–Assam boundary. FKJGP leaders claimed to have found hundreds of workers on the shop floors without essential documents such as labour licenses and police verification. Those without proper papers were promptly turned away and sent back to their places of origin.
The FKJGP also reported that some under the age of 18 were employed in certain units. Condemning the practice, the pressure group said it violates both the Child Rights Act and state labour laws.
FKJGP Byrnihat Circle President Kitborlang Suting said the drive was based on information that some industries were not only hiring illegal immigrants but also sheltering them. “We detected hundreds of such workers and sent them away with a clear warning — do not enter Meghalaya for work without proper documents,” he asserted.
The FKJGP also criticised the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and the state Labour Department for failing to conduct routine inspections, accusing them of enabling employers to recruit undocumented workers unchecked.
It also warned that any company caught employing illegal labourers will face strict consequences. The FKJGP reiterated that Meghalaya’s industrial zones will not be allowed to become safe havens for those dodging eviction in neighbouring Assam.
