Kerala to unveil unified portal and mobile app for the registration of guest workers to enhance their well-being and address security issues.
Published Sep 04, 2024 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 04, 2024 | 8:00 AM
Pinarayi Vijayan. (X)
In a significant move to integrate and simplify the guest worker registration process, the Kerala government announced on Tuesday, 3 September that a single-window portal and app will be created.
This decision was made during a core committee meeting presided by the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan. This step highlights the government’s efforts to enhance the well-being and governance of large number of guest workers working in the state.
The new system seeks to solve security issues, an area of concern in the current system. According to reports, the state police and intelligence units have been demanding a formal registration system to register guest workers for a long time now. They have expressed concerns over ‘activists’ from banned organisation who have been able to come into the state as guest workers., due to absence in a system to register their entry.
Military Intelligence had pointed out in 2017 that Kerala was gradually emerging as an ideal destination for these activists because of the high demand for guest workers. There have been some cases where members of banned organisations were arrested while in civilian attire in different sectors.
According to the new system, each guest worker will be given an Aadhaar-based identification number, which will be available to different agencies. This is aimed at improving tracking and management across the state.
Employers will be mainly charged with the registration responsibility. For people employing daily wage labourers or casual workers, it will be the responsibility of the building owners, where the individuals live.
In case the worker has changed his employer or place of residence, the current employer or the owner of the building must update the registration and transfer the identification number. Employers, labor contractors, and building owners are required to visit the local labor office and apply for a login ID and password. This will help them to be able to register and input details of their guest workers.
The Labor Department will prepare elaborate rules and regulations setting out the roles and working protocols for the Labor, Industries, Local Self-Government, and Police Departments. A number of coordination committees will be formed at the state, district and taluk levels to ensure proper implementation of the program. Every department will have a nodal officer who will be responsible for the registration of the workers.
The government will also implement awareness campaigns and training for labour contractors, establishment owners and building owners to encourage registration and compliance to the new system.
The current legislation on guest worker registration which was passed in 1979 will be amended to reflect the new measures. Changes will be made from time to time to reflect the current employment market.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
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