The Meghalaya government on Friday launched the online registration portal for migrant workers under the Meghalaya Identification Registration (Safety and Security) of Migrant Workers Act 2020.

The legislation passed in March last year ensures the maintenance of public order and protection and safety of migrant workers in Meghalaya through identification and mandatory registration of all such workers in the northeastern state.

Meghalaya deputy chief minister P. Tynsong, who launched the portal at a function organised by the state labour department in Shillong, said the authority for issuing labour licences now lies with the state government under the act.

Registration of workers, maintaining their proper records and issuance of identity cards to them are also mandatory under the act.

The launch of the portal comes close on the heels of the attack on a group of labourers from Assam in West Khasi Hills, leaving one dead and seven injured. A group of masked men had carried out the attack.

The portal enables migrant workers and persons/contractors employing migrant labourers/workers to register them, failing which they will be liable to a fine of up to Rs 5000.

Registration through the portal can be made from any part of the country, or through the common service centers or a help desk at the registration office with a payment of Rs 50.

Stating that the launch of the online portal will improve the ease of doing business, Tynsong urged all stakeholders to utilise the portal so that a record of genuine migrant labourers/workers is maintained in the state.

Pointing out that this move is crucial for the development of the state as labour forces from outside are required to complete projects of different departments, the deputy chief minister reiterated that only those migrant workers/labourers who fulfill various criteria stated under the Act will be issued with a labour licence.

Meghalaya has been of late regulating the entry of outsiders in the state — migrant workers or tourists.

In December, Meghalaya inaugurated its first facilitation centre at Umling amid growing demand to set up entry-exit points by pressure groups to regulate the entry and exit of visitors to check influx of migrants.

A visitor now has to provide details about himself, his address and where he is staying during his stay in Meghalaya with his/her photograph, among others.

The demand to regulate entry of outsiders/tourists through the Inner Line Permit and the Meghalaya Residents, Safety and Security (Amendment) Bill, 2020 for the safety and security of its residents, gathered momentum after the Centre started pushing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. The MRSSB was passed last March.

The contentious citizenship bill passed in December 2019, making it easy for non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan to acquire Indian citizenship.

The Meghalaya assembly had on December 19, 2019, adopted a resolution seeking ILP, a travel document, which is presently required to enter Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland.