Row over labour licence issued to migrant workers
SHILLONG, Oct 24: The state government on Friday took strong exception to the KHADC’s allegation that it was blatantly issuing labour licences to non-tribal workers from outside even before their entry into the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong hit back at the KHADC EC, asking them to thoroughly read the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution before levelling unwarranted allegations against the state government.
Tynsong advised the EC members to properly read Para 12 A of the Sixth Schedule and reminded that in 2019, the state government had passed the Labour Act since the subject of labour does not come under the ambit of the Sixth Schedule.
He made it clear that labour licences can only be issued by the state government as per the Act.
He further informed that following the passage of the Act, the state government brought some amendments under which labourers were allowed to apply for licence online.
“Migrant workers can apply for labour licence from anywhere but they have to submit all the physical documents to the government,” Tynsong said.
He also pointed out that after a migrant worker applies for the licence, the Labour Department screens the application and the details are shared with the police who verify the antecedents of the labourers, including their nationality.
“Once all the details are confirmed and verified, the Labour Department issues the licence,” the deputy chief minister said.
It may be recalled that KHADC CEM Winston Tony Lyngdoh had accused the state government of blatantly issuing labour licences to non-tribal workers from outside even before their entry into the state, while terming the same a serious lapse.
Calling the issue a matter of serious concern, Lyngdoh said the KHADC has decided to enforce checks under its jurisdiction to regulate such cases. He clarified that while the Council has the authority to evict illegal migrant workers, it does not have the power to push them back or deport them.
Lyngdoh further pointed out that although the Meghalaya Migrant Workers Act has curtailed the KHADC’s authority to issue labour licenses, there remains an overlap and conflict between the provisions of the state Act and the Council’s constitutional powers.
