Kochi Metro is all set to formally appoint transgenders for jobs, according to a report. To be precise, at least 23 of the 530 Kudumbasree workers at 11 stations in Kochi Metro’s Aluva-Palrivattom corridor will be transgenders, a report in The Hindu said.
According to the report, some officials of the Kudumbasree Mission revealed that the duties allotted to these transgenders will range from handling the ticket counter to housekeeping works.
The report quoted Elias George, MD, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd as saying, “We would like to give members of the transgender community their rightful share in different jobs at stations. There will be no discrimination between them and women workers.”
George also believes that the mindset of society will change only after direct interaction with members of the transgender community.
Elias George took the decision of appointing the transgenders after holding discussions with city police commissioner, MP Dinesh, and officials of the Local Self Governing Department on rehabilitating the transgender people, back in 2016.
Notably, the Kochi Metro will be the first government-owned company in India to formally appoint them. “I hope other firms in Kerala give them a respectable opportunity to work,” Elias added.
The report cited sources who said that the 530 member workforce, who were appointed after a written test and an interview, will take up varied jobs ranging from housekeeping, parking, customers relations, ticket vending, gardening and canteen duties.
The workers, who will be been trained in technical skills and safety lessons, will be deployed in two to three shifts, the report suggested.
