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New Delhi: Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui Was about a transwoman finding love. But before that, can the transgender community in India get enough jobs? In a significant move, the Noida Authority has hired several members of the transgender community in 2020 and 2021. But this task is not always easy.
Mannat, a transgender woman who has worked in the Noida Authority’s public health department since 2020, says most workplaces have a long way to go when it comes to being inclusive in behaviour. Mannat was said in many places,If you do a job here, the palace here will be ruined. (If you work here, it will disrupt the work environment).
Mannat is not the only transgender staff working with the Noida Authority. In October 2020, it recruited five transgender people as part of its gender-inclusive initiative. The Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) also hired six transgender persons last year. The selection process consisted of both written test and interview. Officials say they received an “overwhelming response”. But there were only a few vacancies.
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Proud move of Noida Authority
For the first time for metro services in North India, Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) on 27 October 2020. Dedicated Sector 50 station for the transgender community, and renamed as ‘Pride Station’.
Feather 20 November 2021NMRC has also decided to provide toilets for its transgender employees at all Aqualine Metro stations. The announcement was made on the occasion of Transgender Remembrance Day. Noida Authority is one of the better job opportunities for the community.
Mannat used to run a catering service before the Covid pandemic. But his business suffered a setback due to the lockdown. That’s when she joined the Noida Authority through an NGO, she was associated with Basera Social Sansthan. He completed his graduation from School of Open Learning under Delhi University. “I only went to college for one day. You know how people react when they see a transgender person.”
But Mannat wanted to be self-reliant and did not want to beg just because someone begs at a traffic signal or asks for money when a child is born with being transgender in our country.
,I will not spread my hand in front of anyone. (I will not beg and ask for help),” she says.
Mannat’s current job involves spreading awareness about cleanliness in Noida. She goes door-to-door as part of an awareness campaign to segregate dry and wet waste. ThePrint had earlier reported on how Noida has taken several initiatives climb the rankings One of the cleanest cities in India.
Mannat says, “I want transgender people to get jobs in every field.
SC Mishra, Senior Project Engineer (Public Health), Noida Authority said, “We have appointed transgenders as per our initiative to be more inclusive. We hired six people last year, and two work with us in the public health sector and are at the forefront of raising awareness about cleanliness.”
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Jobs in all sectors
Trying to find data on employment in the transgender community in India is difficult for a number of reasons, from a lack of documentation to sex-based surveys. on its own Exclude transgenders.
While the Noida authority has taken the initiative to provide opportunities to the transgender community, it cannot be the only opportunity for jobs.
Mahi Gupta used to work as a model in Mumbai and was on a trip to Delhi when the lockdown hit. She couldn’t go back. After exhausting his savings, he applied for the job of a ticket office operator in NMRC and got it.
Kunal Mahor, a resident of Faridabad, worked in patient care and then as a driver before deciding to change his gender in 2017. In 2019, he rented a shop and started selling crockery. The lockdown forced them to call it off. He came to know about the housekeeping job in Noida Authority and got selected for it.
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Honors, Recognition and Perks
While Mannat, Mahi and Kunal have a job, they aspire for better pay and respect among co-workers, among other facilities. Mannat remembers that the initial reaction of people to her awareness campaigns was not always warm.
“Seventy-five per cent of customers are good, 25 per cent are ill-behaved,” says Mahi.
And none of them have a fixed salary. Since the NMRC has hired them through third party enterprises, they still do not have benefits like accommodation facility, paid leave and sick leave.
Better housing and infrastructure facilities such as separate washrooms are issues that the transgender community struggles with, and they are particularly at risk of being exploited.
Samrat, who identifies as male and works with Mannat in the public health department, says it is difficult to rent an apartment in the city.
“The moment they find out we’re trans, landlords raise the rent,” he says.
While love can make the world go round, the fulfillment of basic needs, jobs and dignity are equally important. And for this the transgender community needs to be a part of the workforce.
(Edited by Neera Mazumdar)