Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI: The security concern of thousands of youth from Assam working in private companies in other States of the country has moved Dispur to bring all private placement centres under its regulation. The State government has already brought the Assam Private Placement Agencies for Recruitment of Workers (Regulation) Bill, 2019.
The aim of this Bill is to provide for the regulation of private placement agencies operating their business or willing to commence their business in Assam for recruitment of workers in the private sector in and outside Assam.
As often as not, the security of State’s around 70,000 youth working in companies outside the State is at stake. Sometimes they may die on duty or on their way back to the State, or otherwise. Sometimes, it happens such youths don’t get the remuneration promised at the time of their recruitment by the placement centres after joining companies outside the State. The situation remains such that in the absence of any regulatory authority, such youth cannot move anyone seeking justice.
In the event of the passage of this Bill, no person or private agency shall carry out or commence the business of private agency, unless he/she holds a licence issued under this Act.
Under the proposed Act, every placement centre has to furnish details of employment of workers to the controlling authority within seven days from the date of their appointment beyond the boundaries of Assam, shall display a signboard outside its office showing its name and licence number, will not engage any worker below 18 years of age, maintain a register containing workers’ addresses of correspondence and other details, shall ensure safe travel to and from place of work to the residence of worker, etc.
Any placement centre contravening the rule meant for licence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to seven years or fine which may extend up to Rs 1 lakh. This apart, all the offences under this Act shall be cognizable and non-bailable.