Karnataka CM asks private firms to prioritise local hiring
D K Shivakumar assured companies of government protection against moral policing while requesting they recruit Kannadigas.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has requested private sector companies to give preference to local candidates during recruitment. Speaking at a corporate social responsibility event in Bengaluru on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said the state would act as a facilitator for firms seeking skilled young workers, according to Urban Acres.
Shivakumar promised that the government would protect companies from interference or moral policing. He stated that the state would not meddle in specific skill requirements but noted that employers have a responsibility to prioritise local talent due to the state's large talent pool.
The remarks follow a campaign by the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) to study employment levels in private firms. KRV President T A Narayana Gowda said on Tuesday that the group's data collection would continue until November 30.
Gowda claimed that Kannadigas make up only 20-23 per cent of the workforce at IT companies in Bengaluru. He also alleged that in some firms, the local workforce is significantly lower than in other cities where the organisation operates.
The KRV campaign involves teams visiting information technology (IT) and other major companies to gather recruitment data. Gowda said a comprehensive report will be submitted to the state government after November 30, and a delegation intends to meet the Chief Minister to demand time-bound action on job reservations.