Over 93,000 labourers from outside the state have registered themselves in Meghalaya under a new legislation that seeks to identify them and ensure their safety and welfare, officials said. The registration drive is being carried out under the Meghalaya Identification, Registration (Safety and Security) of Migrant Workers Act, 2020. As of 2024, a total of 93,282 migrant workers have been registered under the Act, they said, adding that East Khasi Hills accounts for the largest share with 41,242 registrations, followed by East Jaintia Hills at 29,932.
Other districts reporting registrations include Ri-Bhoi (10,138), West Khasi Hills (3,820), West Jaintia Hills (3,575), South West Khasi Hills (2,858), West Garo Hills (782), North Garo Hills (372), South Garo Hills (326), East Garo Hills (183), and South West Garo Hills (55). Workers are required to pay a nominal registration fee of Rs. 50 and must renew their labour cards every six months. In 2024, the state’s Labour Department collected Rs. 93.28 lakh through this process.