The relocation of the Block Labour Office (BLO) from Laskein to Jowai led to UDP MLA Nujorki Sungoh challenging the government’s reasoning that poor internet connectivity was behind the move.
Sungoh had sought clarity on why the BLO in Laskein was no longer operational. In response, Employment and Skill Development Minister Shakliar Warjri clarified that the office had not been shut down but was temporarily functioning from the District Labour Office in Jowai. He cited poor internet connectivity as the reason, stating that online registration and other digital tasks had become difficult to carry out.
Rejecting this justification, Sungoh asserted that internet connectivity was not an issue in the area and suggested that the real reason could be officials’ unwillingness to serve in rural areas. Warjri, however, maintained that the shift was solely due to connectivity problems but assured that he would look into the matter to prevent similar occurrences. He also informed that the BLO would soon resume operations from its rented premises in Laskein.
Highlighting the inconvenience caused to labourers, Sungoh stressed that requiring them to travel to Jowai for registration was an added hardship. In response, Warjri stated that the government was working towards setting up more BLO offices across various blocks to improve accessibility.
Meanwhile, UDP MLA Ollan S Suin from Mawsynram raised concerns over why many registered labourers, including deceased ones, had not received benefits. Warjri explained that for claims to be processed, labourers or their next of kin needed to apply, suggesting that in many cases, the benefits remained unclaimed.
