Legal awareness for workers in the unorganized sector held in East Jaintia Hills District

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 9, 2021

The Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Jaintia Hills District and the Labour Department, East Jaintia Hills District today organized a “One Day Legal Awareness Programme on the Rights and Benefits of Workers in the Unorganized Sector”.

M Nongrum, Assistant Labour Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat in her welcome address informed that the programme aims at educating labourers about labour laws and also to create awareness on the rights and benefits of the workers in the Unorganized Sectors.

While addressing on the occasion, NM Momin, Officer on Special Duty, Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority, Shillong said that the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority provides free Legal Aid and free Legal Services to the poor and the needy and to people who are entitles to free legal Aid and services as mention in section 12 of the Legal Services Authority  Act. She urged the gathering to approach the District Legal Services Authority if they require any free legal aid, free legal services and are facing any kind of legal issues.

Speaking on  ‘Labour Law’, she highlighted the various Acts, Rights and Benefits under the law, she also said that the labour law also known as Employment Law is a body of laws administrative rulings and precedence which addresses the legal rights of working people, restrictions on the working people and their Organizations. She further stated that labour law defines the right and obligations of workers and employers in the work place. She also inform that labour law covers industrial relationship like labour management, relations, practices, health and safety of workers at workplace, employment standards like working hours, minimum wage etc.

Westerwell Phawa, Labour Inspector, Khliehriat enlightened the gathering on the topic ‘Building & Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act 1996’ and he urges the laboures to register themselves under the Scheme through the Labour Department in the District so that they can avail the various schemes and benefits. He also spoke on the topic ‘Unorganized Workers Social Security Act, 2008.

Albertstar Kharumnuid, Labour Inspector, Saipung, while speaking on the topic ‘Meghalaya Identification, Registration (Safety and Security of Migrant Workers) Act 2020’ stressed on the importance of registration for labourers and migrant workers in order to ensure  maintenance of public order, protection and safety of migrant worker through identification and registration of all such workers in the state. He also informed that the migrant workers and contractors employing migrant labourers will be liable to a fine if they fail to register.

The Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, East Jaintia Hills District, D.S Marbaniang presided over the programme and offered the vote of thanks.