This move of the Karnataka government sure does pose a challenge to the idea of freedom of mobility for labour in the country as it seeks to restrict jobs in the state for locals, who are finding it tough to face competition from skilled and unskilled migrants from across the country.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister S Siddaramaiah tweeted that the cabinet has also cleared draft legislation that makes it mandatory for industries and other establishments to hire only Kannadigas for Group C and Group D vacancies in the state.
The Karnataka cabinet has cleared a bill that mandates these appointments of 50 per cent locals in the management category and 75 per cent locals in non-managerial cadres. The bill was cleared at a cabinet meeting held on Monday evening.
Any establishment found to be violating this mandate of the proposed law (The Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024), would attract a penalty of up to Rs 25,000. The Bill was cleared during the Cabinet meeting held Monday evening.
The candidates to whom reservation will be provided in management and non-management categories will either have to possess a secondary school certificate with Kannada as language or should pass a Kannada proficiency test as specified by the nodal agency.
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If qualified or suitable local candidates are not available, the industry, factory, or other establishments should take steps to train and engage local candidates within three years.
The Bill also has a clause which provides relaxation to the industries “if sufficient number of local candidates are not available”. In such a case, these establishments could apply for relaxation from the provisions of this Act to the Government and “after due enquiry the Government may pass appropriate orders,” the Bill reads.
A nodal agency will also be set up under the Act which will verify reports on people employed by Industries. It will also submit a periodic report to the government.
Main picture: A view of the MG Road metro station. (Wikipedia)
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