Shillong, September 9: The Meghalaya Government has strengthened the implementation of the Meghalaya Identification, Registration, Safety and Security of Migrant Workers (MIRSS) Act with six amended rules aimed at improving the identification, registration, safety and security of migrant workers across the State.
Speaking at the launch, the Principal Secretary of the Labour, Employment and Skill Development Department said the original MIRSS rules were notified on January 13, 2021. Since then, extensive consultations and deliberations have been undertaken to make the legislation more effective, practical and enforceable.
The amended rules, approved in March 2026 and subsequently placed before the State Cabinet, clearly define the roles and responsibilities of authorities tasked with implementing the Act. They also specify enforcement powers, registration procedures, inspection mechanisms and revised registration forms.
Graded penalties for violations
A major change is the introduction of a graded penalty system for violations of the Act and its rules.
A first offence will attract a fine of ₹10,000, with penalties increasing for subsequent violations. A third offence may attract a fine of up to ₹1 lakh and imprisonment of up to three months.
The Government has also decided to utilise the Police Department’s Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) to facilitate timely police verification of migrant workers.
Digital payment facility launched
To make the registration and enforcement process more convenient, an online payment gateway has been introduced for the digital payment of registration fees and penalties.
The Government has also released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) detailing the duties and powers of the Labour Department, Police, district administrations and District Task Forces.
The SOP is intended to provide a uniform operational framework for officials implementing and enforcing the MIRSS Act at the ground level.
Training and awareness programmes
The Government said training programmes for registering officers, labour inspectors, police personnel and other stakeholders will be completed within 30 days.
Awareness programmes will also be conducted for employers, contractors and their associations to familiarise them with the amended rules and their responsibilities under the Act.
The Labour Department is considering a phased rollout, with the amended rules initially being implemented in selected areas with a high concentration of migrant workers before being extended across the State.
The amendments are aimed at strengthening Meghalaya’s institutional mechanism for monitoring migrant workers while ensuring that registration, verification and enforcement procedures are carried out in a more systematic and accountable manner.
