A good move is evident in new activities like the National Transgender Employment Mela.
What are the transgender population’s present employment rates in India, and how have they changed over the past few years?
In India, employment rates for trans people have significantly increased, in stark contrast to previous data. The National Human Rights Commission’s 2018 research exposed widespread socioeconomic alienation of transgender people, coupled with higher rates of social rejection and unfortunate work assignments. However, new activities like the National Transgender Employment Mela represent a positive change. The event, boasting over 100 gifted people and 30 businesses, marks a major shift in business attitudes towards trans hiring. However, difficulties remain, making cooperative efforts between the commercial sector and the young transgender community in search of dignified employment necessary. While progress is visible, educational barriers remain, highlighting the immediate need for skill-building initiatives. Importantly, the upcoming 2nd version of the Mela aims to capitalize on this momentum by providing additional employment opportunities with a specific allocation of over 100 applicants.
What sectors or industries in India are more diverse when it comes to hiring transgender people, and what factors contribute to their diversity?
In hiring trans people, some industries in India demonstrate a remarkable commitment to inclusivity, with employers putting a premium on awareness and diversity. This diversity trend, which was primarily supported by foreign IT companies, has now been extended to Indian manufacturing companies like Tata Steel and Varun Beverages, who are introducing inclusive hiring practices that are suitable for all educational backgrounds and experiences. Additionally, industries such as logistics, property management (e.g., OCS, Sodexo), and retail (e.g., MAC, Shoppers Stop) actively engage in hiring transgender talent. However, achieving true diversity requires more than interviewing; it demands creating suitable environments, policies, and facilities, which is an ongoing process.
What initiatives or programs have the American government or NGOs implemented to encourage transgender employment, and what has been the result of their implementation?
A conscious effort to promote trans employment and social inclusion is supported by a number of initiatives from both the American government and NGOs. TWEET Foundation’s “Gurukul” and “Garima Greh” courses provide essential knowledge and assistance. Recognition and acceptance are promoted through InHarmony’s “Trans Is” webinar collection and effective corporate outreach and discussion. The president’s support of the Transgender Employment Mela shows commitment, with academic support for trans people of the Scheduled Caste facilitating access to education. Self-help group initiatives encourage entrepreneurs among trans individuals, fostering financial empowerment. Importantly, initiatives like the SMILE scheme’s National Transgender Portal and those promoted by Ayushman TG cards highlight a strategic attitude, making it easier to access healthcare and affirming sex surgeries. Together, these initiatives make significant progress in promoting trans people’s rights and opportunities and removing barriers to a more equitable society for them.
Are there any current legal or policy changes in India that aim to enhance trans people’s employment prospects and protections?
India has made major advancements in constitutional and policy developments that aim to enhance trans people’s career prospects and safeguards. Recent legal and policy developments include the release of the “Equal Opportunities Policy for Transgender People” by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on February 14, 2024, and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020. These rules aim to provide legal recognition and safety of the rights of transgender individuals and prevent bias against trans people in various areas, including work, education, healthcare, and housing. Additionally, it mandated the creation of trans welfare boards to address their specific needs.
The current government is working very hard to end the discrimination and prejudice against trans people in India. However, it is important to keep in mind that the effectiveness of implementing these laws and policies and how they affect transgender people’s jobs may vary depending on the country and region. To ensure that transgender people in the workforce have equal opportunities and privileges, activists and advocacy organizations continue to push for additional changes and the successful enforcement of existing rules.
What are the main difficulties faced by transgender people in India? Since the first Trans Recruitment Mela release, how has it changed? How are they being addressed already?
Despite strides in addressing challenges like bath access and discrimination, many obstacles prevent effective trans employment, including education barriers, lack of commercial experience, language barriers, and the need for upskilling. Challenges in relocation, interviews, and mental health support persist. Since the inaugural Mela, companies have increasingly pursued transgender inclusion, fostering a more inclusive environment. Internship programs have been developed to bridge educational and professional gaps, which leads to employment at their respective businesses. The first National Transgender Employment Mela showcased over 100 individuals and 30 companies, fostering networking and career development. This collective effort represents progress being made in advancing trans employment, but ongoing commitment is essential to overcoming any obstacles that remain and promoting inclusivity in India’s workforce.
What do employers in India think about hiring transgender people, and what obstacles do they face in putting forth inclusive hiring practices?
Employers in India generally exhibit a positive attitude towards hiring transgender individuals, often led by Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leaders within organizations. Implementing inclusive hiring practices at the organizational level can be challenging, especially the time-consuming steps involved in implementing infrastructure changes like comprehensive gender affirmation policies and all-gender washrooms. Additionally, many of the trans people with a degree are first-time employees and have had corporate jobs for the first time. Additionally, transgender people’s integration into job roles may be hampered by limited relevant experience and transitional challenges.
Are there any notable success stories of transgender people overcoming obstacles and succeeding in their careers in India?
Numerous transgender people in India have overcome obstacles and achieved professional success in a variety of fields. Notable success stories include Abhina Aher, Nishtha Nishant, Maya Awasthy, Zainab Patel, Zoya from Godrej Properties, Kalki Subramaniam, Katty Avashia, Shaman Gupta, Ghazal Dhaliwal, and Dr. Aqsa Sheikh.
What steps can be taken by employers, policymakers, and civil society to further improve the employment scenario for transgender individuals in India?
To further enhance the employment scenario for transgender individuals in India, collaborative efforts from employers, policymakers, and civil society are imperative. Key steps include sensitizing the education system, conducting mass awareness campaigns, implementing vocational skilling programs, setting benchmarks for transgender inclusion, running more internship programs, ensuring all public places have all-gender washrooms, and incorporating gender-based discrimination clauses in company codes of conduct.
To increase transgender people’s educational attainment, it is crucial to raise awareness within the educational system. Discrimination, bullying, and lack of support from educators often lead to high dropout rates among trans students. It is crucial to launch a widespread societal awareness campaign about transgender people and the normalization of transgender identities. This approach can increase families’ support for their transgender and gender-different children.
The government should take special initiatives aimed at achieving the aforementioned objectives and incorporate gender and sexuality education into the secondary school curriculum. Additionally, there should be the establishment of vocational training programs that place an emphasis on entrepreneurship and job creation. It is crucial to establish benchmarks for transgender inclusion and to offer incentives to businesses and educational institutions that adhere to these standards. Companies can make a contribution by sponsoring internship programs, funding corporate social responsibility initiatives to train transgender people for employment, and cooperating with other organizations to facilitate the hiring of transgender individuals.
Furthermore, the government should ensure that all public facilities, including toilets in malls and offices, are equipped with “all-gender washrooms.” Establishing mechanisms for addressing harassment against transgender people based on their gender identity is a requirement for the code of conduct of companies to include gender-based discrimination provisions.
What types of jobs are available to them? What kind of compensation do they receive, too?
Do they receive special benefits or welfare programs? Due to educational and professional barriers, transgender people in India tend to land entry-level positions. Pay parity continues to be a significant issue despite some businesses opening senior and lateral positions. Progressive companies offer special benefits and welfare policies, such as gender affirmation care (including medical support, insurance, and counselling), post-surgery leave, and inclusive facilities like all-gender washrooms, affirming their commitment to transgender inclusion and support.
Any specific demand we have made to the government?
During the recent National Transgender Council meeting, Abhina Aher, a representative, articulated several demands on behalf of the community. These include promoting specialization or special preference in government positions like police and healthcare, establishing a dedicated recruitment board for transgender people through community-based organizations, implementing specialized skilling programs for out-of-school young transgender people, and launching targeted interventions via self-help groups to support small-scale transgender businesses. Additionally, a call was made to create a designated transgender seat in the Rajya Sabha in order to address the particular problems the community and sexual minorities face. These demands are intended to address systemic injustices and advance transgender equality across all levels of society.
