SHILLONG, July 14: A large number of migrant workers have reportedly left the state in view of the document checking drive carried out by the KSU and other pressure groups. Though the exact number of workers who have left the state for their hometowns could not be ascertained, officials fear that the number is significant enough to affect the ongoing road projects being implemented across the state.
A senior official of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) told The Shillong Times on Sunday that the work on some of their projects will be affected as the migrant labourer have left the state.
According to him, there are hardly any labourers from outside who want to come and work in Meghalaya.
In the meantime, the KSU continues with its ongoing drive. The union’s South East Central Circle detected migrant workers engaged in construction work without valid work permits at the Block Development Officer’s office in Pynursla C&RD Block on Saturday.
The KSU directed the workers to return to their place of origin, citing violation of regulations.
The union’s South East Central Circle president, Wallamjingshngaiñ Suting, emphasized the need for migrant workers to have proper documents to work in the state.
Suting asserted that the recent arrest and FIRs against KSU members by the government would not deter them from scrutinizing such illegalities.
“The union remains resolute in its stance, demanding strict adherence to work permit rules,” it said.
Unit vice president Basuklang N Khongwar lambasted the government and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for not enforcing regulations for migrant workers and urged the government for stricter action to prevent such violations.
According to the KSU, the crackdown aims to safeguard the rights of local workers and ensure compliance with labour laws.
Meanwhile, it has been alleged that members of the KSU Laban Circle, during their checking drive on Friday, did not give sufficient time to the migrant workers to collect their belongings before leaving the state.
The incident allegedly happened during an inspection at the project site of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department at Iew Dak (Laban) in the presence of Labour Inspectors and police officials.
It was alleged that neither the Labour inspectors nor police officials intervened on behalf of the workers.
When contacted, KSU Laban Circle president, Reuben Najiar said on Sunday that they were only assisting since the checking of the documents of migrant workers was done by the Labour inspectors and police personnel from Laban police station.
He said they had insisted that migrant workers without valid documents should be directed to register with the Labour department and obtain work permits.
“We found that majority of the migrant workers do not even possess an EPIC, forget about work permits. How can we verify that they are not illegal immigrants from Bangladesh if they do not have an EPIC?” Najiar said.
When pointed out about the particular incident at the project site at Iew Dak, the KSU leader said it will be difficult for them to speak about a specific location since they have carried out the drive in over 20 areas.
“I don’t think it is true that the migrant workers were not given time to collect their belongings since the Labour and Police officials were checking the documents,” Najiar said.
It has been learnt that three Labour inspectors along with some police personnel from Laban police station checked the documents of the migrant workers in Laban area on Friday.
