Meghalaya Assembly Passes Migrant Workers Registration Bill, Fine Raised to Rs 1 Lakh from Rs 5000

One of the key features of the amended bill is the enhanced penalties, with offenders now facing fines up to Rs 1 lakh.

Amid incidents of migrant workers being attacked and several pressure groups and student bodies demanding a stringent law to control influx of illegal migrant workers into the state, the Meghalaya Assembly today passed the Meghalaya Identification Registration (Safety and Security) of Migrant Workers (Amendment) Bill 2024 and increased the penalty for migrant workers entering the state illegally to Rs one lakh from a meagre Rs 5000.
The law is expected to further strengthen the state’s framework for monitoring and ensuring the safety of migrant workers.

Minister-in-charge of Labour, Employment and Skill Development Shakliar Warjri had moved the Bill to be passed on the floor of the House.

Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, speaking to the media, elaborated on the various clauses of the amended act.

He said the state Government has strengthened the office of the inspector of labour in the respective blocks wherein the labour inspectors are authorised to inspect each and every construction site and those who do not have required documents, action can be taken accordingly.

“In the amendment, we have increased the penalty clause. Previously it was only Rs. 5,000 and now it goes to over one lakh. We have also strengthened the office of the inspector in the respective blocks where we authorize the inspectors to go and inspect each and every construction site and check those who do not have the required documents and then they can take action accordingly,” said the Deputy Chief Minister.

Earlier, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had introduced the amendment Bill seeking registration of migrant labourers in the state, failing which violators will have to pay a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh and face a jail term.

The Cabinet on August 2, 2024 approved the amendment to the Meghalaya Identification Registration (Safety and Security) of Migrant Workers Act 2020, days after pro-ILP activists raided construction sites across the state and drove out hundreds of unregistered migrant labourers.

Also Read: TMC Leader Mukul Sangma Elected as LoP in Meghalaya Assembly for 2nd Term, Pledges to Prioritize People’s Interests

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