Kochi Metro | KMRL to deploy more 60 transgenders in next two years

Kochi: Kerala made headlines when it appointed 23 transgenders to work for the Kochi Metro. But it is a no secret that the employees started quitting when most turned a blind eye to the possible miseries the sexual minority would face.

While some faced difficulty in finding alternate accommodation, some found the new lifestyle too expensive to adjust.

Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is now taking steps to increase the strength of the transgender staff from an existing 14 to 60 and impart soft skills too.

When 23 transgenders employees were deployed in June, the criteria for recruitment included their educational qualifications. While Kudumbasree trained them with soft skills, the Metro agency upskilled them in managing ticket counters and housekeeping.

"We decided to recruit TG people, a first in any metro system in the country as a social experiment and to ensure social inclusion. This, in a way, resulted in their problems being highlighted at the national level.” a KMRL spokesperson told the Media.

Several reports emerged citing the reasons for the nine employees to quit the job was a wage hike. Justifying their stand the KMRL spokesperson said that the pay scale of the TG employees was on par with the regular workforce.

“We aim to increase the number of TG people in the metro to 60 when the Pettah extension is completed, around two years down the line,” the spokesperson said.