The State’s labour laws require more stringent implementation, Mawsynram MLA Himalaya Shangpliang told Highland Post today.
Shangpliang said this while strongly condemning the ghastly Umoid incident in South West Khasi Hills on February 24 night that led to the death of one labourer from Assam and injuries to seven others.
The Congress legislator opined that the attack was the result of a sense of insecurity among the local people over the inflow of migrants from other states.
“We also know that the coronavirus pandemic is not over and yet hundreds of labourers are coming from various states. We also don’t know whether the district administrations are really checking these people or whether they have been tested or not for Covid-19 and maybe this has also created a sense of insecurity among the local people,” Shangpliang said.
He added that contractors bringing non-local labourers should go through all proper procedures to enroll the labourers with the authority concerned and also inform the Dorbar Shnong about the people they are bringing to work.
“The State will always need skilled labourers from other states for construction work, etc but the contractors who bring them should ensure the labourers come through the proper procedures and awareness at the village level should be given about the labourers who are coming to stay so that unfortunate incidents are prevented,” Shangpliang said.
The eight workers who were assaulted were hired for the construction of the administrative block and girls’ hostel of St Xavier’s College, Umoid, and had the permission required from Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.
