The Gangtok police have issued a strict deadline of February 10 for completing labour registration in Sikkim to prevent illegal immigration and strengthen security measures. Superintendent of Police (SP) Tenzing Loden Lepcha has mandated the verification of tenants and workers under the Sikkim Tenants and Domestic and Professional Helps (Compulsory Verification) Act, 2008, and the Sikkim Labour Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service Act, 2021.
Why Labour Registration is Crucial for Sikkim?
Being a border state surrounded by Bhutan, Nepal, China, and West Bengal, Sikkim faces unique security challenges. The government has stated that illegal immigration, including sleeper cells, could use the state as a safe haven.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang recently held a high-level meeting to review security concerns and directed strict tenant verification and worker registration to prevent illegal settlements. The authorities highlighted that Bangladesh’s geopolitical situation poses a risk of unregulated migration into Sikkim.
Tourism and Unverified Workers in Sikkim
Sikkim’s booming tourism industry attracts a large number of migrant workers, raising concerns about unverified individuals residing in the state. The COVID-19 pandemic saw thousands of migrant workers leaving the state, yet many remained without proper verification. Criminal elements have also been known to enter Sikkim disguised as workers, including carpenters and labourers.
SP Lepcha stressed that public cooperation is essential in the verification process to ensure that only legal workers and tenants reside in the state.
Strict Labour Registration and Tenant Verification Measures
To ensure compliance, all house owners and landlords in Gangtok and across Sikkim must complete tenant verification within 30 days. The Sikkim Tenants and Domestic and Professional Helps (Compulsory Verification) Act, 2008, makes it mandatory for landlords to submit tenant verification forms at the nearest police station.
Furthermore, the Sikkim Labour Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service Act, 2021, requires all workers to register with the district labour office. Employers failing to register their workers will be fined Rs 2,500 per unregistered labourer.
Labour Categories in Sikkim
Labourers in Sikkim are classified into four categories:
- Highly skilled labour
- Skilled labour
- Semi-skilled labour
- Unskilled labour
Workers in construction, hotels, housekeeping, restaurants, and shops must complete their registration before the February 10 deadline.
Current Labour Registration Status in Sikkim
As of now, 15,000 registrations have been completed across organized and unorganized sectors. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, over one lakh migrant workers resided in Sikkim, revealing a significant gap in registration.
Religious Institutions and Hotel Registrations
To ensure security, priests working in religious institutions such as churches, temples, gurdwaras, and mosques must also undergo verification and registration.
Additionally, Sikkim’s hotel industry, with 2,000–3,000 hotels, must complete C-Form registration under the Immigration, Visa, and Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) system. However, only 1,300 hotels have completed this registration, leaving many non-compliant. Hotel owners must record guest details, including entry and exit dates, to prevent illegal activities.
Implementation and Legal Consequences
To enforce these regulations, the Sikkim government will deploy flying squads comprising officials from the police, labour department, and district administration to conduct inspections after February 10. Any business, shop, or household employing unverified workers will face legal action.
Legal Provisions for Labour Registration
Strict legal action will be taken under:
- Sikkim Tenants and Domestic and Professional Helps (Compulsory Verification) Act, 2008
- Sikkim Labour Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service Act, 2021
Benefits of Labour Registration
SP Lepcha emphasized that registered labourers will benefit from the e-Shram scheme, which provides insurance coverage and other social security benefits.
The government has urged all landlords, employers, and workers to actively participate in the registration process for the safety and security of Sikkim.
The mandatory labour registration in Sikkim by February 10 is a crucial step in curbing illegal immigration and ensuring law and order. With strict penalties for non-compliance and flying squads monitoring the process, the government aims to enhance security and protect the interests of legal workers and residents.
By implementing comprehensive tenant and worker verification, Sikkim is strengthening its security framework and setting a precedent for other states. As the deadline approaches, cooperation from citizens, businesses, and landlords will be essential in making Sikkim safer and more secure.
