Photo Courtesy: nenews
Shillong: Labour Minister Methodius Dkhar rolled out the amended Meghalaya Identification, Registration, Safety and Security of Migrant Workers (MIRSS) Rules, 2020 on Wednesday. Officials debuted the framework at the State Guest House, Tara Ghar, in Shillong. The update includes a new e-payment gateway for fines and a formal Standard Operating Procedure for enforcement.
Dkhar wants better data on where laborers work. This helps the state respond during crises. He warned that the system must avoid becoming a bureaucratic nightmare. "Registration is important because it enables the government to know where migrant workers are employed and to assist them during emergencies. However, it should not become a tool for harassment or create unnecessary difficulties for workers and employers," Dkhar said.
Success requires cooperation across the board. The Labour Department is now aligning with police, district heads, trade unions, contractors, and civil society. Inspections and compliance checks will ramp up immediately. Dkhar insists that all complaints regarding assault, discrimination, or intimidation must see quick investigation under current law.
Inter-state communication will also improve. Officials plan to work closely with the home states of workers to handle verification and welfare issues. Employers in construction, infrastructure, healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, and manufacturing bear the brunt of the responsibility for worker safety. "Migrant workers contribute significantly to Meghalaya’s economy and are engaged in construction, infrastructure, healthcare, hospitality, agriculture and manufacturing. Their safety and welfare must remain a priority," the minister added. Authorities must protect the dignity of all workers while keeping personal data secure.
Updated at 10th September 2026 at 1:49am
Dkhar locked in the launch date for September 9. The new rules explicitly demand that authorities handle collected data with strict responsibility, using it only for legitimate public purposes while keeping a firm grip on worker privacy.
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