In a striking display of the unemployment crisis in India, over 46,000 graduates and postgraduates have applied for the position of sweeper in Haryana. These positions, advertised by the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Limited (HKRN), a state government outsourcing agency, offer a salary of only Rs. 15,000 per month.
What’s more shocking is that these menial jobs, which involve cleaning government offices and public areas, have attracted over one lakh applicants between August 6 and September 2, 2024.
The Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) also started recruiting for Group-D vacancies with 13,536 posts, further highlighting the demand for government jobs, no matter the position.
Wasted Talent in Government Job Applications
The data reveals that more than 39,990 graduates and 6,112 postgraduates have applied for the sweeper jobs, alongside 1.17 lakh individuals who have studied up to Class 12. These figures paint a bleak picture of India’s job market, where even those with degrees are left with no choice but to compete for low-paying unskilled labour positions.
Applicants like Manish Kumar, a postgraduate with a diploma in business studies, and his wife Roopa, a qualified teacher, reflect the grim reality of unemployment among highly educated youth.
Manish remarked, “In private schools or companies, we barely get Rs. 10,000 a month. Here, there’s a glimmer of hope for regular employment in the future. Plus, sweeping isn’t a full-day job, so we can pursue other work during the day.”
For many, the lack of better-paying options pushes them to apply for such roles, hoping that government employment will eventually offer long-term security.
Similarly, Sumitra, a resident of Rohtak, has faced repeated setbacks in securing a government job. After multiple failures in clearing exams for better positions through the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC), she applied for the sweeper job out of necessity.
She said, “This is the only job left that I could apply for with any hope of a positive response. My family has refused to fund further studies or coaching, so employment is my lone option now.” Her story mirrors the experience of countless young Indians who, despite being highly qualified, are stuck in a cycle of underemployment.
According to government data, only 10-12% of the workforce is involved in highly skilled professions, while the majority remain in unskilled or semi-skilled roles. This imbalance is creating a bottleneck, as the country’s educational output does not align with the actual job market demand.
Government Job Infatuation In India
One of the critical factors driving educated youth to apply for menial government jobs like sweepers is the deep-rooted infatuation with government jobs in India. The education system, while producing a large number of graduates and postgraduates, often fails to equip them with the practical skills needed in the private sector.
Degrees are treated as status symbols, but they don’t necessarily translate into job readiness. The result? A mismatch between educational qualifications and available employment opportunities.
In India, a government job is seen as the ultimate goal for many. This obsession stems from the perception that a government job provides stability, security, and benefits, which are rarely matched by the private sector.
For many young people, this perceived safety net is worth compromising their aspirations, even if it means taking up roles far beneath their academic qualifications. The Common Eligibility Test (CET) and other competitive exams fuel this obsession, as they provide hope for future employment in government positions, however long the wait might be.
Read More: What’s The Truth Behind Rising Unemployment In India?
While the private sector is often viewed as an alternative, the situation is far from ideal. The exploitation of private employees is rampant, particularly for entry-level jobs.
While many global economies see thriving private sectors as engines of innovation and employment, India remains marred by exploitative practices and a lack of proper regulation. Job security, in most cases, is non-existent in the private sector, further driving the desperation for government roles, no matter how menial they might be.
Many companies favour experienced candidates over fresh graduates, leaving a large number of young people unemployed or underemployed. With fewer opportunities for skilled jobs, these graduates are left with no choice but to seek low-paying, unskilled work just to make ends meet.
Political Criticism and Lack of Job Creation
The overwhelming response to the sweeper job openings has sparked criticism from political parties, particularly the Haryana Congress which accused the BJP-led government of failing to address the rising unemployment rate. The surge of applications is seen as a direct result of a shrinking job market and the government’s inability to create adequate employment opportunities for the youth.
The Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam (HKRN) is also mired in controversy for alleged non-transparency, low remuneration, and job insecurity in the contractual roles it offers.
Even government jobs have lost their appeal due to poor compensation and a lack of permanent employment options, leaving educated youth with no choice but to apply for positions they are vastly overqualified for.
The dire situation of educated youth applying for sweeper positions is not just a reflection of unemployment but also deep systemic issues within India’s education and job markets. The obsession with government jobs, fueled by a combination of societal expectations and a lack of private-sector alternatives, is leading to wasted talent on a massive scale.
India needs urgent reforms that address the gap between education and employment, encourage the creation of skilled jobs in the private sector, and provide young professionals with the opportunities they deserve.
Without these changes, the country risks losing an entire generation of educated individuals to underemployment, job insecurity, and exploitation. It’s time for India to rethink its approach to employment, both in the public and private sectors, to ensure that its young talent is put to productive use in driving the nation forward.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Economic Times, Times of India, Business Today
This post is tagged under: Unemployment Crisis, Youth Employment, Wasted Talent, Government Job, Education System, Private Sector Exploitation, Job Market India, Skilled Labor, Haryana Jobs, India Unemployment, Job Security, Graduates Struggle, Employment Opportunities, Youth Empowerment, Workforce Challenges
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