SHILLONG, Sept 10: Meghalaya Labour Minister Methodius Dkhar on Thursday said the state government had amended rules governing the identification, registration, safety and security of migrant workers, stressing the need to protect workers while enabling authorities to respond effectively during emergencies.
The amended Meghalaya Identification, Registration, Safety and Security of Migrant Workers (MIRSS) Rules, 2020, were unveiled at a state-level launch-cum-orientation programme. An e-payment gateway for fines and a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for implementing the MIRSS Amendment Act and Rules were also launched.
Dkhar said registration was essential to maintain accurate information on migrant workers and their places of employment, but cautioned authorities against turning the process into a source of harassment for workers or employers.
“Registration is important because it enables the government to know where migrant workers are employed and to assist them during emergencies,” he said.
The minister called for coordinated implementation involving the Labour Department, police, district administrations, employers, contractors, trade unions, civil society organisations and migrant workers. He directed deputy commissioners and district-level officials to work closely with Labour Department personnel, identifying awareness, facilitation, inspection and enforcement as key components of the amended framework.
The rules also sought stronger coordination between police and labour authorities in handling complaints involving migrant workers. Dkhar said allegations of harassment, intimidation, discrimination, physical injury and other unlawful acts should be promptly registered and investigated in accordance with the law.
He stressed the need for Meghalaya to coordinate with states from which migrant workers originated, particularly on identification, verification, emergency response and welfare measures.
Dkhar said migrant workers made an important contribution to Meghalaya’s economy and were employed across sectors including construction, infrastructure, healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, mining and manufacturing.
He urged employers, contractors, industries and business establishments to take responsibility for workers’ safety and ensure they could access government-mandated benefits and protections.
At the same time, the minister emphasised that registration must respect migrant workers’ privacy and dignity. Data collected under the system, he said, should be used strictly for legitimate public purposes and handled responsibly.
The amended framework aimed to strengthen worker protection while improving the government’s ability to identify, monitor and assist migrant workers across Meghalaya.
