IT firms keen to offer jobs to transgender community members

Women working in the IT sector in Hyderabad might soon be travelling to and from work in cabs operated by transgender community members. This comes as part of a latest initiative introduced by the Cyberabad Women Safety Wing, which aims to help transgenders rescued from prostitution rackets and begging.

Weeks after transgender persons were appointed as traffic cops in Hyderabad, jobs in the areas of security, maintenance and drivers in IT companies across the Cyberabad Commissionerate have been introduced for the community. They will also be appointed as drivers for female staff as well as to operate carts, transporting employees across IT parks.

The decision was made during a meeting with the security heads and managements of over 50 IT companies in Cyberabad, including Microsoft, TCS, Accenture among others.

“The goal is to help transgender community members get secure jobs and break the loop of marginalisation. These roles will ensure their strengths are properly utilised and particularly, in case of cab drivers, the women travelling back late from work will also feel secure. It’s a win-win situation,” said Cyberabad Women and Children Safety Wing DCP Srujana Karnam. The official said that few companies also expressed interest in hiring transgender community members in technical or administrative roles based on their qualifications and skill sets.

According to the official, the community can be meaningfully be deployed by offering them opportunities for employment.

“The entire process of authentication, identification and on-boarding will be done by the police, we are currently counselling the transgender community to step up. Even if one person shows interest, the department will also ensure that they get a rented house/hostel to live in,” she said.

This will encourage more from the community to look beyond their conventional roles, she added.