Kudumbashree’s own Employment Exchange: Success Story of Keralashree Consultancy

In Ernakulam, there functions an Employment Exchange which secures job and steady income for the NHG women of the district. It is ‘Keralashree, the initiative of Kudumbashree that functions in the District Collectorate Premises at Ernakulam. Smt. M. R Smitha mol is the leader of Keralashree initiative. Smt. Praseela Gopalan, Smt. Sebia Noushad, Smt. Siji Vinod, Smt. K.B Babitha and the son of an NHG member are the 6 members of the group who manages the activities of Keralashree Consultancy.  Rs 1.5 crore is the annual turnover of Keralashree Consultancy.

What is Keralashree Consultancy?

Keralashree, an employment exchange initiative under Kudumbashree Mission act as the link between job seekers and service providers from Kudumbashree families and potential recruiters. An offshoot of Kudumbashree Mission, this is a gateway to reach out to a reliable employee or a credible employer. Keralashree had employed over 500 people a year.  Keralashree Consultancy was initiated in the year 2006. It is through this employment exchange that the contract employees including housekeeping jobs, employees for the parking of various railway stations, waiting halls, governmental- cozy governmental and private institutions are identified and are appointed.

Apart from this, with the help of a Micro Enterprise Unit, Keralashree also manages the booking of the Indian Railways and also arranges and supplies the food online. Smt. M. R Smitha mol is the leader of Keralashree initiative. Smt. Praseela Gopalan, Smt. Sebia Noushad, Smt. Siji Vinod, Smt. K.B Babitha and the son of an NHG member (for online food supply and other needs) are the 6 members of the group who manages the activities of Keralashree Consultancy. Each of them are getting Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 as monthly salary. Rs 1.5 crore is the annual turnover of this initiative.

How it works?

The activities of Keralashree consultancy was started, way back on 11 January 2006. The neighborhood group members are informed about the Keralashree Consultancy through Neighborhood Groups (NHGs) and Community Development Societies (CDSs) and the interested candidates may register at Keralashree Consultancy by paying an amount of Rs 100. When different institutions inform the District Mission coordinator about the current openings/vacancies, the District Mission coordinator would inform Keralashree Consultancy and they would directly inform their members. The interested may apply at the CDS. The application and the letter from the CDS would be handed over to Ernakulam District Mission.  The District Mission would hand over the applications to the respective companies. The companies would conduct interviews and appoint the candidates to the respective posts. This is the mode of working of Keralashree Consultancy.

During the initial days, The Keralashree consultancy was working in the Ernakulam District Collectorate Building and later it was shifted to yet another building in the Ernakulam District Collectorate premises. The reservation counter of the Railways also functions there. They manage the waiting hall of the railway and also supplies food to the travelers who orders through IRCTC website, at Ernakulam South and Ernakulam North Railway stations.

Now Keralashree is managing the Railway parking at Ernakulam South, North, Aluva, Thrupunithura, Karukutty and Angamaly Railway stations and also the AC waiting hall at Ernakulam South and Ernakulam North Railway stations.

Apart from that, 750 candidates who had secured job through Keralasahree Consultancy are working at the offices of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Kerala Books and Publishing Society(KBPS), Keltron, Spices Board, District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) etc. Their job ranges from housekeeping to data entry. They are getting Rs 6000 to Rs 25000 as monthly income.

 Keralashree also charges 2 % of the monthly salary as service charge from those candidates who are getting monthly salary more than Rs 6000. While booking railway ticket, they also get Rs. 15 as commission. Keralashree also gets 2% of the income of the waiting halls.

It is the unity and confidence of the team members that made Keralashree Consultancy a success. The success story of this group of women can undoubtedly be considered an embodiment of women empowerment.