KOCHI: In a unique initiative, the Kochi Metro Rail Limited has come up with an idea of hiring qualified transgenders. The metro operator will offer housekeeping, crowd management and customer relations jobs to the marginalised community increasingly under attack. During a meeting between city police commissioner M.P. Dinesh and KMRL managing director Elias George on Tuesday, the police sought a proposal on this.
“A detailed plan will soon be prepared in consultation with the community representatives. We will also give them skilled training,” said the commissioner. As per the data available, there are 128 transgenders in the city and most of them are unemployed and abandoned by the family. During a protest march conducted by the community members, their major complaint was the lack of employment opportunities.
Meanwhile, KMRL chief said that transgender groups would be formed under the umbrella of Kudumbasree Mission, and they would be appointed after a security screening by police authorities. “They are forced to choose undesirable occupations as they are not given jobs. Hence, KMRL wants to rehabilitate them on an experimental basis in certain sections of operations,” he said
“Appointment will be done in consultation with Kudumbasree Mission authorities. The metro system will have two or three transgender groups as staff. The initiative is a signal to indicate the humane face of Kerala society. This will be a path breaking attempt, and we are hopeful that the maiden attempt will be a big success. If successful, members of the community will be given employment opportunities on Water Metro.”
