Shimla, May 15 (PTI) Expressing concern over challenges faced by the transgender community in India, activist Maya Thakur has written a letter to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, seeking ‘systemic reforms’ in criminal and labour laws.
Thakur, a transgender woman who was designated ‘election icon’ for the state poll body in Solan, told PTI on Friday that discrimination in education and jobs against the community remains a major issue in India, and urged the CM to facilitate overseas job opportunities for transgender people.
Appreciating the recent initiative of the Himachal government facilitating overseas jobs for youths in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, Thakur — who herself has been seeking employment opportunities — pointed out that “even today, it is nearly impossible for a transgender person to find a decent job or even a room on rent, especially in North India, due to deep-rooted discrimination”.
Last year, the Himachal Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation was officially authorised by the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate securing overseas jobs and organise recruitment drives for international positions like bike-borne delivery riders in the UAE.
Citing examples of European countries like Germany and Norway, which have more inclusive laws and a safe environment for transgender persons, Thakur suggested initiating partnerships with European nations specifically for the recruitment of transgender persons from Himachal, adding that overseas employment in these nations will provide safety to the community.
“There are transgender people who wish to study, become teachers, lawyers, join the police and excel in other spheres of life, but when we apply for jobs, the response that we usually get is — will tell you if there is any scheme for you.” “I was born a male but identify myself as a woman. My identity is a transgender woman, we are unisex, not eunuchs,” says Thakur, who hails from Kothi village in Kunihar area of Solan district.
Thakur’s proposal, Himachal Pradesh Systemic Reforms Initiative (HPSRI), calls for amendments in criminal laws, saying that the fear of law has disappeared, and workers are being exploited Thakur, who previously worked for an NGO in Delhi and has been actively looking for jobs, has also pushed for a stringent ‘overtime law’ to compensate for extra work, instead of ad hoc payments ranging between Rs 100 and Rs 200.
Other suggestions made by Thakur include Gulf-style law enforcement, which advocates the death penalty for rape as a deterrent, zero tolerance towards corruption, and speedy disposal of corruption cases.
Thakur also suggested hiring European engineers for technical skill development, sending Himachali students to Europe and inviting European experts for “on-site training”.
“Himachal ko ab purani neetiyon ki nahi, balki bade badlav ki zarurat hai (Himachal now needs change and not the old policies),” Thakur, who herself has been trying to seek jobs, said. PTI BPL KSI KSI
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