Shillong, Mar 19: The state Assembly on Thursday passed The Meghalaya Identification, Registration (Safety & Security) of Migrant Workers Bill, 2020 amid demand from the opposition that the same be referred to a select committee.

The Bill was tabled by the deputy chief minister in-charge labour Prestone Tynsong.

Earlier, while moving an amendment motion, Congress legislator from East Shillong Ampareen Lyngdoh demanded that the migrant workers Bill should be referred to the selection committee of the state Assembly as it requires further corrections.

She said that the under the Bill, registration of workers would be complicated as the state has other similar laws related to labourers and also the state is waiting for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit.

Supporting the motion, Umroi legislator George B Lyngdoh said that the Bill in its present form has got many anomalies.

“The Bill does not specify any skill but says any works. This is like opening the floodgate and giving an open invitation (for people from outside to come into the state),” he said while fearing that passing of the Bill may affect the livelihood and economy of the state.

He also pointed out that the Bill has not clearly define the role of the traditional institutions and the autonomous district councils.

In his reply, Tynsong said maximum of the migrant workers who enter the state do not come to register.

Citing the recent Ichamati violent incident, he said more than 500 migrant labourers were taken out of that place to Assam or other places for their safety adding “there is no record as there is no Act in place”.

“After seeing this trend, we have decided to bring this Bill,” Tynsong said while adding that the Bill seeks to make it mandatory for migrant workers to get registration card and on failing, the law will take its own course.

According to him, the registration card is only to those people who are not genuine residents of the state.

He also assured that the government will come up with the Rules once the Bill becomes an Act and to ensure clarity on the role of traditional heads.

“Let us implement it (Bill) and if need be in the next session you can bring amendment and I assure that any genuine issue (raised) will be taken care as we are always accommodative,” Tynsong said while urging the mover to withdraw the motion.

Turning down his request, Ampareen said that she has decided not to withdraw the motion. Later the Bill was passed after it was put to vote.