BENGALURU: The Karnataka government now enjoys powers to invoke law and intervene if private industries do not implement the rule of providing Kannadigas employment on priority in clerical and housekeeping jobs.

The cabinet amendment to Karnataka Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Rules, 1961, is a watered-down version of the previous Congress regime’s efforts to reserve 100% group C and D jobs for locals.

The amendment defines a Kannadiga as one who’s been domiciling in Karnataka for 15 years and who can read and write Kannada. The amended law is applicable across all industries and also to companies that do not secure sops from the state government.

Who is a Kannadiga?

The amendment to the Karnatka Industries Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1961, defines a Kannadiga as any person who has been a domicile for 15 years in Karnataka and who can read and write Kannada.

Govt can butt in if firms flout jobs rule

The cabinet amendment —to provide Kannadigas employment “on priority” for clerical and housekeeping jobs — to Karnataka Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Rules, 1961, empowers the state to intervene if private industries do not implement the rule in letter and spirit.

The amendment, a watered down version of the previous Congress regime’s efforts to reserve 100% group C and D jobs for locals, will be applicable across all industries including the IT-BT sector.

It’s also applicable to firms that do not secure sops from the state government, P Manivannan, labour department secretary, revealed. “There is no distinction between companies under the amended order,” Manivannan said.

The bigger point though is that the government can intervene in private companies if a complaint is referred to the labour commissioner. “Since the amendment is now incorporated, it gives the government powers to intervene and enforce the rule,” a labour department official said. “However, for this to happen, a complaint has to be referred to the labour commissioner.”

Once it receives a complaint, the labour department will collect details of the recruitment process of the firm concerned. “Depending on the process, the state will see how best it can ensure priority for locals,” said the official.

Speaking to TOI, labour minister S Suresh Kumar said the amendment was only the first step. “The government will bring in legislation to give the standing orders more teeth,” Kumar said.

However, with most private companies “outsourcing” clerical, security and housekeeping work — which primarily are Group C and D jobs — the biggest hit will be taken by human resources consultancy firms who will have to allocate jobs to locals first, rather than the cheapest labour.

