Transgender persons face hurdles while availing 1% horizontal reservation in government jobs Premium

“On my first day of work at High Court, the judge Venkateshappa V, under whom I was working, called all the court staff and told them to treat me equally and see me just like any other person. He even told them that he would send them a notice if he got to know that I was being ill-treated,” recalled Madhu, a 25-year-old transgender woman. 

“On my first day of work at High Court, the judge Venkateshappa V, under whom I was working, called all the court staff and told them to treat me equally and see me just like any other person. He even told them that he would send them a notice if he got to know that I was being ill-treated,” recalled Madhu, a 25-year-old transgender woman. 

She is among those transgender persons who have availed the 1% reservation given to them in government jobs.  Karnataka was the first State in the country to notify a 1% reservation in government jobs for transgender persons, in 2021. Two years down the lane, transgenders who have availed themselves of these jobs are happy with the progressive work environment at government offices while the majority of third gender persons still struggle to apply or secure these jobs. 

Madhu now works as an attender under another judge at Chikkanayakanahalli in Tumakuru. She spoke about how she was never laughed at or given excess work on purpose in any workspace. She was always assured that her transgender identity would not be highlighted to the public without any reason or her consent.  She tells how work is more important to the public and her employer than her gender.  

Shravya, another 24-year-old transwoman also said that government officials and higher officers respected transgenders while a few others at the office were simply unaware. Although she used to earn her living as a sex worker before, she later relocated to Bangalore, obtained a medical card and transgender certificate with community assistance, and applied for government jobs in Madikeri and Karwar. 

However, she cannot help but remember that before securing her current job, she had to face discrimination and humiliation during the medical check-up. Despite transgender friendly work atmospheres, these persons have had to encounter some uncomfortable experiences while obtaining these jobs. 

Madhu recollected an instance where she had gone to the consumer court in Bengaluru to apply for a D-group job and when she mentioned her gender (as transgender) in the application, the staff members were shocked and surprised.  

Such hurdles among other things have kept transgender persons from trying to get the reserved jobs. ”Despite passing matriculation and acquiring skills of data entries and communicating in English, many people in the community lack adequate job opportunities.” said Nisha Gulur, Program Director of GSM (Gender and Sexual Minority division), Sangama.