Job fair for transgenders to help them grow self-reliant

The day might not be far when you see a well-groomed transgender greeting you at the reception of a corporate office in the city. While the Central Government is toiling over a Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2015, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has gone one step ahead. 

Under the supervision of the city police force, a special job fair for transgenders will now be conducted in Chennai to help provide gainful employment to people of the third gender. The very first of its kind job fair will be held today at a hotel in Egmore. 

Sources in the city police said a number of private companies have been instructed to provide employment to transgenders at the job fair, based on their educational qualifications and professional expertise. The move is being seen as a strategical call ahead of the assembly elections that could target the 3,500 plus members of the transgender community in the city and socially active youngsters who are vocal about the rights of the sexual minorities. 

The government has directed the city police to collect data on transgenders under the jurisdiction of each police station. Details were sought on areas such as their educational qualification, preferred job areas and expected monthly salaries. “We provided all necessary data to the police while urging for a range of vocations.

The educational background of most transgenders is poor and there are few graduates. We have asked for jobs like receptionists, stenographers and many have asked for help to start their own business,” said Jaya, the general manager at Sahodaran, an NGO and an LGBT support group. Sources said the scheme would be extended to all districts and the government is serious about finding employment for the transgender community in the state. 

“As per our statistics there are more than 50,000 transgenders living in Tamil Nadu. This number can never be accurate as a large section of transgenders continue to live without revealing their real identity due to social stigma,” Jaya said. 

City police sources said that they are only a facilitating agency. “We are not conducting the job fair but we are only a facilitating agency,” a senior officials said. Police sources said the data collected for the job fair would also help them collate all details regarding transgender population in the city. 

“It would also help the police to prevent possible crimes against transgenders in the city. The details will become handy for the force also to deal with criminal elements among transgenders. So it is a win-win situation for both,” another official added.