Shillong, June 17: The Meghalaya Labour Department has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for employers with the intent of engaging skilled and highly skilled labourers from outside the state, and the employers who bring in such labourers should pay for availing the quarantine facilities.

Principal Secretary, Labour Department, D P Wahlang, stated that the aim of the SOPs was to provide general guidance and information to employers in order to enable workers to return to work safely while keeping the risk of contamination as low as possible.

“Employers will have to obtain permission from respective Deputy Commissioners prior to bringing in workers from outside the State and provide complete details of the workers including their permanent address, current location and contact details,” a notification issued

“After permission is obtained, Employers shall register such workers with the Deputy Labour Commissioner of the respective Districts providing complete details of the workers including their permanent address, current location, and contact details,” the notification read.

“Upon arrival, all workers will be screened and tested for COVID-19 and shall be transported by the employer to the paid quarantine facilities where they shall undergo quarantine till the test results are known. Payment for the quarantine facilities will be made by the employers. Anyone tested positive, shall follow the protocols issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya,” it said.

“Persons who are tested negative may be transported to the quarantine facility to be arranged by the employer and placed in quarantine for 14 days,” the notification further added.

Post-quarantine, employers to ensure workers stay within the premises. The employers will also be responsible ensuring that all social distancing norms are strictly followed and workers wear masks at all times.

After completion of the quarantine period, employers will have to ensure the workers stay within the premises and follow all social distancing and safety norms.

“Employers shall put in place a plan for systematic cleaning and disinfection of tools as well as stocking up on cleaning supplies and any protective equipment that may be needed,” the notification stated.

Further, the employers will have to ensure that each worker is covered under the Health Insurance Scheme at their cost.