Situation worsens in Haryana: Over 46,000 graduates, postgraduates seek sanitation jobs amid job crisis

New Delhi: In a striking reflection of the growing unemployment crisis, more than 46,000 graduates and postgraduates in Haryana have applied for contractual sanitation worker positions through the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam (HKRN) over the past four months.

According to HKRN data, from August 6 to September 2, nearly 39,990 graduates and over 6,112 postgraduates applied for these jobs, which offer a monthly salary of approximately ₹15,000. Additionally, 117,144 individuals with Class 12 education also applied for these positions.

Government jobs and it's glorification

Despite being overqualified, many applicants are drawn by the stability of a government job, even in roles that involve cleaning public spaces, roads, and buildings. "Individuals applying for these positions must confirm that they understand the job's nature and responsibilities," an HKRN official stated, dismissing the notion that applicants may have misunderstood the job requirements.

Desperate need for employment

Interviews with several graduates and postgraduates who applied for these positions reveal a common theme of desperation driven by unemployment and economic hardship. Rachana Devi, a 29-year-old resident of Sirsa, has been jobless for four years despite holding a degree in nursery teacher training and pursuing a master’s degree in history. "There are no jobs, so I applied as a sanitation worker," she explained.

Similarly, Manisha, an auxiliary nurse, and her husband, Danish Kumar, a BEd graduate, both from Charkhi Dadri, are also unemployed and have applied for various contractual roles, including as sanitation workers.

Unemployment rates rising

According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released on August 16, unemployment in Haryana has been steadily increasing. The unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 to 29 in urban areas rose to 11.2% in the April-June 2024 quarter, up from 9.5% in January-March. For women in the same age group, the rate spiked to 17.2% from 13.9% over the same period.

Government's initiative

In response to the unemployment crisis, BJP leader Praveen Attrey highlighted the state government's efforts to create job opportunities. He mentioned that 145,000 regular government jobs have been provided in the past decade, along with 120,000 contractual positions through HKRN. Additionally, 3.7 million youth were offered self-employment and private sector opportunities.