50-75% reservation for Kannadigas in private jobs, including IT sector: Karnataka Cabinet clears Bill

In a move to favour Kannadigas in the southern state, the Karnataka Cabinet has approved the draft State Employment of Local Candidates in Industries Factories and Other Establishments Bill, which will mandate the reservation of 50 per cent of management jobs and 75 per cent of non-management jobs for the local people.

This Bill covers entire private sectors, including the IT sector.

The Bill also highlights the penalty for companies that do not prioritize Kannadigas for jobs in the state. A Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000 fine will be levied on those companies that do not follow the provisions in the Bill, and Rs 100 will be collected every day until the local employer count is as per the Bill.

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According to the copy of the Bill, 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.

If qualified or suitable local candidates are not available, the industry or factory or other establishments should take steps to train and engage local candidates within three years.

The Bill also has a clause that will provide an exemption for establishments “if sufficient local candidates are unavailable”. 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 draft Bill reads.

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However, all private firms must hire only Kannadigas for group ‘C’ and ‘D’ blue-collar jobs.

In a post on X, Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad said, “It is a pleasure to share with all of you that the Bill to provide job reservation for Kannadigas in private sectors has been approved in the cabinet meeting. With the implementation of this Bill, Kannadigas will get 50% to 75% reservation in private sector jobs in the state.”

Meanwhile, in a tweet, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said that the Cabinet has also approved a legislation that made it mandatory for all private industries to hire only Kannadigas in group ‘C’ and ‘D’ jobs.