KOCHI: As transgenders in the state grapple to find a toehold in the mainstream job market, Kudumbashree is embarking on a social integration initiative to provide training in soft skills to over 28 members of the sexual minority community, who have been offered employment in the Kochi Metro Rail Limited(KMRL).
The aptitude and attitude training programme will be the major component of the mission undertaken by Kudumbashree.
“Since most of them are victims of social stigma they need to be given proper motivation. Moreover,as they will be working in the Kochi Metro along with Kudumbashree, social integration is a must. The training is aimed at giving the TGs enough motivation to work alongside the others,” said Tanny Thomas, district coordinator, Kudumbashree, Ernakulam, adding, the mission is planning to provide over one month-long training to the TGs.
As part of providing the soft skills’ training, Kudumbashree has roped in a private agency. However, the government order in this regard is still awaited.
“The modules on training and the proposal for requisitioning the agency have been forwarded to the State Mission office. It is only after permission is granted that the training can start. As soon as we get the necessary approval the training will commence,” said Tanny Thomas.
As per the KMRL’s plan, it will be the trangenders capable of doing housekeeping, crowd management and customer relations’ jobs who will be mainly recruited.
“There are many qualified hands among them and based on that we will depute them in the suitable sector,” Tanny added.
Meanwhile, a trangender,who asked not to be named, told Express that the training will help them to interact with the public better.
“ We are actually prepared to work among the people but also quite aware that it will be a tough task. So this type of training will surely motivate us since we are the only section in society to face such social stigma,” the TG said.
It was following a meeting between KMRL MD Elias George and City Police Commissioner M P Dinesh a few months ago that the idea took shape. The government has also unveiled a Transgender Policy-- the first of its kind-- with an aim to end the opprobium heaped on the TGs.