The Interstate Migrant Workmen (regulation of employment and conditions of services) Act is an Act which is enacted in order to protect inter-state migrant workmen from exploitation in states which is not their native state. The act creates a provision to employ workers from other states in case there is a lack of skilled workers in that particular state.
Following are the rights of inter-state workers:
-Equal or better wages for the similar nature of work performed by the local workmen or by adhering to the stipulations mentioned under Minimum Wages Act, whichever amount is more.
-Termination of contract after the lapse of time without any liability
-Displacement allowance
-Home journey allowance
-Medical facilities and proper accommodation free of charge
-Right to lodge a complaint with the authorities within 3 months of the occurrence of the incident.
- All contractors that employ five or more interstate migrant workers have to be registered, need to provide details about the workers intermittently to the government and maintain a register of details of workers which may be made subject to government scrutiny.
- Any case of serious injury or a fatal accident occurring during employment has to be reported by the contractor to authorities and next of kin of the worker.
- The principal employer is responsible to appoint a representative in his place to look overpayment of wages and he is also responsible to pay the wages in case the contractor fails to do so.
- The worker or in case of his death, his next of kin can apply for legal aid if he is a party to a dispute relating to the payment of wages, minimum wages or industrial disputes. The authorities will provide an advocate and take care of expenses if the application is approved.
- Violation of the provisions of the Act attracts imprisonment up to 2 years and/or fine up to Rs. 2000.
