India Inc hints it's now open to quota

India Inc hints it's now open to quota
[ Saturday, July 01, 2006 12:09:14 amTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]

NEW DELHI: Indian industry has finally thrown in the towel in its fight against reservations in the private sector. In a clear departure from its previous stand to oppose reservation, India Inc has now promised to work with the government to improve employment opportunities for the backward classes, beginning September.

A CII-Assocham joint task force on affirmative action, set up by the government, has pointed out that the industry is committed to work with the government to formulate an Act that will be designed to ensure that discrimination in the workplace is prohibited by law.

According to a draft prepared by the task force, a Code of Affirmative Action will be formulated for compliance by all affiliate companies of CII and Assocham, starting September 2006. CII and Assocham officials were not available for comment despite repeated attempts.

"Industry commits, in principle, to align the workforce in its companies and units with the diversoty goals for greater representation of targeted communities, starting September 2006 progressively," the draft said.

The industry, it said, will also help in improving the employability of people from the backward classes, besides taking initiatives to foster entrepreneurship.

"CII and Assocham will immediately set up a national level apex body, Councils for Affirmative Action, to promote and co-ordinate the industry's action in this regard," a source said.

The task force, sources said, has pointed out that competitiveness of companies will not be compromised in the exercise to promote employment from backward classes.

"The industry has stated that competitiveness of companies will remain a primary consideration," the source said. Companies will also be encouraged to set goals for executive positions from among applicants of targetted communities.

"For instance, companies could commit to hiring a certain number of graduating engineers from the targeted communities each year... Such policies will be applicable to new recruitment beginning September 2006," the source added.