NONGSTOIN: The KSU has alleged that illegal migrant workers, most of whom were ‘Bangladeshi Muslims’, comprised around 70 per cent of the total population of Shallang.
A spot inspection conducted by members of the KSU’s Mawshynrut and Nongstoin circles on Thursday revealed that the migrant workers, a majority of whom worked in coal depots in the area, did not possess documents like labour license and work permit.
The KSU had earlier set a week’s deadline to coal traders, contractors and businessmen in Shallang to provide the documents of the migrant labourers engaged in Shallang. However, following non-compliance, the KSU carried out a spot inspection on Thursday. General secretary of the KSU’s Mawshynrut Circle, Armstrong Nonglait, told media persons that the increase in the number of “illegal workers” in Shallang was a cause of concern.
The union further alleged that the businessmen from Shallang, instead of cooperating with the KSU, urged the pressure group members to refrain from interfering in their trade.
Meanwhile, the KSU’s West Khasi Hills unit led by its president John Fisher Nongsiang called on district Deputy Commissioner Arun Kumar Kembhavi and informed him of the situation in Shallang.
“Many contractors or employers employing migrant workmen do not register their employees under the Meghalaya Inter-State Migrant Workmen Rules resulting in gross violation of the Act,” the KSU said.
The union urged the DC to direct the department concerned to inspect the establishments where migrant workers are employed and ensure that illegal immigrants do not thrive in such areas.
