Kerala plans to reserve jobs for home inmates

Thiruvananthapuram: The fate of hundreds of boys and girls who step out of government-run children’s homes after they are 18 is a mystery. Some are either unemployed or forced into menial jobs. An alarming number have fallen into crime. Many seem to have disappeared.  To make sure that former inmates of children's homes are not lost either to crime or to oblivion after their days at a welfare home, the state government is planning to introduce job reservation for them.

The concept of job reservation was mooted by the Assembly Subject Committee on Social Services in March 2015. The proposal, to set apart three percent jobs at least in last grade jobs, is now under the serious consideration of the Social Justice Department.  “On the face of it, a job reservation for former inmates of children’s homes looks tricky. We already have fixed quotas for reservation and we cannot exceed that limit without violating law,” said a top Social Justice official. However, the Department is trying to find a way out.

The Department has already issued an order last year insisting that former inmates of Children’s Home should get preference for temporary jobs in the government sector.  What’s more, they will also get admission to the courses of their choice in government and aided colleges. “If any of these colleges have no seats for them, they will have to create additional seats,” the official said.

Job reservation is expected to provide relief to former inmates of welfare homes as they are generally bereft of family and emotional support. “As long as they are qualified for a particular job, it is fair to give them preference,” said Fr Philip Parakatt, member of the State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights. However, he said that the government should guard against the danger of parents dumping their children in welfare homes to gain the benefit of reservations.