Employment exchange losing its standing

CHANDIGARH: With government efforts towards downsizing having an adverse impact on the number of candidates getting placed through the employment exchange, the government concern is still to come to terms with the changed circumstances.
Senior officials of the exchange say that a majority of individuals come to the exchange for placements in government organisations.Such jobs have reduced drastically and so has the importance of the exchange.
To make matters worse, a 1996 Supreme Court ruling has allowed the government organisations to solicit applications for jobs by issuing advertisements on their own.
As per the latest figures available, the number of registrations with the exchange decreased from 17,532 in 1999 to 10,359 in 2001.
Though it is mandatory for private companies having over 25 employees to inform the exchange on new employment opportunities, candidates sponsored by the exchange are up against competition from those of private placement agencies apart from those applying directly.
There are over 600 private outfits in the UT which are required to file a quarterly return on the employment status in their organisations with the exchange.
The exchange can prosecute those companies not sending the requisite information on new employment opportunities. However, sources say that a number of companies have not been informing the exchange about the vacancies.
Sources say that for private placements, the exchange is mainly supplying candidates for jobs like technicians and helpers.
Officials say that among other activities, providing vocational guidance has become one of the key areas of activity for the exchange.
Under this programme, the exchange provides career guidance to the youth. The exchange was also collecting and collating information on the employment scenario that is further provided to agencies like the planning commission.
However, officials are not clear on the new areas of activity for the exchange. ‘‘As of now, we can only think of strengthening existing functions,’’ says a senior official.
However, those in the know say that it is time for the government outfit to look at newer areas or to strengthen its placement initiatives in the private sector to enable it retain a meaningful role.