Social Access to Employment

Affirmative action, Employment Equity, Reservation, different terms do not change the intent and spirit of the policy. Globally governments have always pushed the private sector to ensure workforce diversity in terms of ethnicity, local population, differently challenged, minorities and gender in their workforce. In few countries its mandated, and in most other countries it linked to tax benefits or incentives for the companies maintaining the diversity in its workforce.

Even as quota for locals and reservations for the marginalized and oppressed castes in private sector in India has been an uncomfortable debate for corporate India, the finding of first ever caste census in corporate India in 2011 over a decade ago can still put us to shame. It revealed that Schedule Caste (SC) and Schedule Tribe (ST) community employee strength in corporate India did not even closely reflect the actual population, and since then no concrete long-term measure have been to taken to rectify or even address the disparity. 

The shrinking public sector and government jobs, and lack of interest among corporate India to implement the “CII’s Affirmative Action Plan” on a consistent basis has increased the gap of population to employed among the SC & ST) communities. Even in highly industrial states the gap is only increasing, there seems to be a thin hope in the services sector yet the jobs for youth from SC & ST community is far from satisfactory. 

The SC & ST communities hold lowest of the nation’s wealth which is appx Rs 6.13 lac per household, leased land, low education rate, minimum access to loans and capital, hence the dependency on government schemes have been the best option. 

International Labour Organization (ILO) - Institute for Human Development (IHD) India Employment Report 2024 shows that the SC & ST working ration to their population is higher but are restricted to unorganized sector, low education and no-skill jobs followed by the Other Backward Classes (OBC), whereas the General Category (GC) occupy the high-end jobs. 

Hence, affirmative action and targeted policies for SC & ST has not really ensured better jobs or decent employment opportunities in the vast labour markets of India, discrimination and lack of access to education is clearly a major cause for lack of inclusiveness in a diverse caste ridden society. 

Karnataka has a SC & ST population to employment gap in the private sector to an extent of 14%, behind Tamil Nadu and Kerala, so a lot more needs to be done proactively to reduce the gap. Few months ago Karnataka government in its wisdom announced reservation in all contract jobs across all government departments. Over 75000 people in Group C & D are hired under contract basis in various government departments, and reservation as per norms for SC & ST community and 33% for women is a welcome step. Over 2.5 lac posts that are vacant currently can help youths from SC & ST community and women to get employment directly with the government.

The ambitious “Ashadeepa Scheme’’ by Karnataka Labour Department that aims to encourage corporate India to hire more youth from SC & ST community through incentive program which should be taken advantage of and enable youth from SC & ST community to be job ready.

There are few states across the country who are promoting several other schemes to encourage corporate India to add more youth from SC & ST community to their workforce, and ensure access to training and employment. Given the strong measures taken by various governments corporate India has a responsibility to respond positively towards an inclusive society, and to reduce possible social unrest. 

Society driven social construct deciding the destiny of one of the largest communities in India must end. If just 4-5% of corporate India CEOs are from SC & ST communities even as we complete 75 years of Independence from British slavery, then the question of when and how to end social slavery becomes pertinent. If Affirmative action and incentivization is the only way to make corporate India inclusive for every community then why evade the inevitable.  

Kavitha Reddy

Member, Karnataka Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board 

Minority Report; Young and Resilient

Sachar Committee report 2006 revealed various disparities and challenges faced by Indian muslims. These included lower levels of educational attainment, higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and inadequate representation in government jobs, limited political representation, discrimination in housing, less access to loans and other economic opportunities. 

The 403 pages report “Social Economic and Educational Status of Muslim Community in India – A Report’’ was presented in the Lok Shaba in November 2006, and subsequently several recommendations were considered over years, but all the government indicators still show no significant change in the condition of muslim community in India.

The statistics show that Indian muslims employment is less than 5% in government jobs, 3.2% in security forces, about 3% in corporate India. Muslims own appx 8% of India’s wealth, avg wealth of a muslim household is Rs 9.95 lac as against the Hindu upper caste household wealth of Rs 27.73 lac, OBC household wealth of Rs 12.96 lac, SC & ST household wealth of Rs 6.13 lac. Muslim higher education is 17%, as against national average at 26%. Only 50% of the muslim children complete middle school as against the national average of 62%, over 46% of muslims are self-employed in urban India, which is highest compared to other communities. (data from Rajya Sabha discussion 2023) 

Indian muslims have been vilified by the political entity in power that is propagating hardline hindutva ideology over the last 10-15 years and damaging the inclusive nature of Indian society. Despite all the socio-economic-political challenges something is changing for good, the Indian muslims are marching ahead creating their own success stories and building lives. 

In a recent interaction with youths from different communities, Santosh Lad Labour Minister GoK shared a very thought-provoking argument on Skill Development. He spoke eloquently about how the Indian muslims despite the challenges are constantly acquiring skills in every industry, sector, and trade that we know of today. He further pointed out that from puncture shops to IT companies, fixing tiles to mobile phones, plumbing to real estate, tea shops to teaching, butcher shops to malls, electric shop to new age entrepreneurs, hotels to hospitals, drivers to deans, cleaners to doctors the Indian Muslims are working in every space, challenging status-quo, and silently but strongly contributing to the growth of the nation. He also shared the view that unless young people across all religion, regions, and castes are not prepared to explore opportunities, challenge norms, and grow economically the social disparities will continue to weigh on them forever.

The sustained unspoken discrimination in the private sector post 9/11 and lack of adequate representation in government jobs have forced young Indian muslims to relentlessly hone skills that can get them jobs, start business, and create wealth. India in 2023 received over $ 125 billion remittances from across the globe, a major part of these remittances comes from Indian muslims working overseas mostly middle-east Asia, who are consistently sending wealth back home. 

In the last three decades education has become a powerful tool for young muslim women to be more progressive, vocal, and are consciously charting their way into the workforce. Education is also promoting many social changes and improved lifestyle and bettered the living conditions. The rise of the middle class in the Indian muslim community is encouraging, they are aspirational, educated, progressive is constantly breaking free from the shackles of socio-economic clutches just like the middle class in Indian hindus community. 

Speaking proudly of the success story of Mustafa the CEO of ‘iD Fresh Food’ a young muslim girl student corrected me and said “Akka (elder sister) we not only cook the best biriyani; we make the ready batter for the best idly and dose too.” 

Indian muslims for long have carried the burden of partition, riots, haunted by the ghosts of babri masjid demolition and scared by Gujarat mass murders, many have let gone the past for a better future. The current generation of young Indian muslims do not relate to history gone by, and do not seem to be too keen to visit the past. During the anti-CAA protests the emergence of assertive Indian muslims holding the constitution book and fighting for their rights gave a new direction and purpose, and the purpose became stronger and important for the future. 

Even as we continue to debate on the finding of Sachar Committee, and the important need to do lot more to uplift the Indian muslim community, the young Indian muslims are striding ahead not waiting for policies to change their destiny. Representation in the government, administration is a necessity to create a level playing field, and to eventually end misplaced islamophobia and ghettoization in the nation that is home to the world’s third largest muslim population. 

In caste ridden Indian hindu society where the oppressed castes are still struggling with socio-economic inequality, women are also fighting social obstacles and lack of proportionate opportunities in every sector, and the story of resilient Indian muslims holding ground despite social hurdles and hostile political environment is indeed a powerful message. 

Progress of every society depends on how the young people reskill, rethink, and renegotiate their paths, and how they re-write their success stories, at the age of 18 if one can vote out a government, they sure are capable of changing destiny of the nation too.

Kavitha Reddy

KPCC General Secretary (views are personal) www.KavithaReddy.in

The Caregivers; Homecare in India

Nurses from India for several decades have been the caregivers for the world, service-oriented men & women initially from Kerala and later from rest of India continue to care for the patients and elderly globally. Back in India healthcare for 1.45 billion population is a herculean task, even as large part of the population is dependent on government healthcare system the private healthcare market is growing exponentially, and so is the important homecare sector. 

Lifestyle diseases, aging population, increase in chronic diseases, shortage of hospital beds, nuclear families, higher disposable income, access to alternate services, affordability, insurance cover, technology has been instrumental for a massive boom in the homecare sector. 

India's population is aging rapidly, with the number of people above 60 expected to reach 170 million by 2025. The demographic shift has led to an increase in age-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, stroke, dementia, and alzheimers which require ongoing care and management. Indian healthcare system is also facing a significant shortage of hospital beds, with only 1.3 beds per 1000 people, compared to the global average of 3.5 beds per 1000 people. This shortage has led to a substantial increase in demand for homecare services as well, as patients prefer to receive care in the comfort of their own homes if there is a viable option. 

Homecare market in India is estimated to be worth $5.5 billion, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20% over the next five years. This growth is driven by increasing demand for homecare services, industry initiatives to promote homecare, and the entry of new players into the market. Homecare provides a convenient and cost-effective solution, also, since homecare services are both medical and non-medical assistance to patients in the comfort of their own homes, it reduces the need for hospitalization and improves health outcomes. 

The Indian government has recognized the potential of homecare services and has introduced initiatives to promote and regulate the sector. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has established guidelines for homecare services, including standards for quality, safety, and patient care. 

But homecare sector is facing significant challenges:

There is a lack of financial incentives, subsidies, and tax benefits to encourage investment in homecare. Even though homecare is growing and is creating medical and non-medical jobs rapidly government is yet to recognize it as a separate sector and extend benefits.

Insufficient or no access to training for non-medical resources, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals to enhance their skills is leading to a severe shortage of trained resources.

Inadequate medical insurance cover for patients, lack of additional statutory policy framework in the insurance cover is making homecare less accessible and less attractive to patients.

Public awareness campaigns from the government to educate people about the benefits and importance of homecare is almost non-existent.

Implementing the policy changes in line with the governments globally to suite to the changing dynamics of homecare sector that can improve the quality, accessibility, and affordability of homecare services, ultimately benefiting all the stakeholders is much needed.

Healthcare services received at home from qualified nurses and other technically qualified persons are exempt from GST, but by not extending it to non-medical persons who provide important basic care is a deterrent to cost sensitive Indian market.

Social security programs like the one implemented for gig workers and news paper deliver people by Karnataka government is also a requirement for caregivers, as they may not get employment opportunity after the age of 45-47 yrs. 

Homecare sector already have major private hospitals and some key player like Health Vista, HCAH, Skawin, Care24, Athulya and more. They are providing both short-term and long-term jobs for qualified nurses and for people who are service orientation but have only basic educational qualification. Women from small town who come from difficult background are happy to do baby care or patient care and earn Rs15000 – Rs18000 a month than struggle doing odd jobs. Karnataka Government has an opportunity to provide General Duty Assistant (GDA) training for men and women who just have basic educational qualification, and enhance their opportunity to get jobs in the homecare sector.   

The population of India is both its biggest strength and weakness, Indians are becoming a global workforce working to make world a better place, but our states and union government policies and strategic interventions lack the efficacy, accountability, and speed to create gold standard organizations in every sector and are inadvertently making job creation a burden for entrepreneurs. 

India needs to focus a lot more and healthcare industry, robust infrastructure and access to quality services is now a basic ask. Hence the governments have the obligation to scrub-up and provide patient and caregiver friendly framework for the homecare sector and not put a breathing sector on ventilator.    

Kavitha Reddy

Mentor, Skawin Medical & Healthcare www.skawin.in