Here's a concerning trend in India’s job market that’s leading to chaotic and dangerous situations. In the past week alone, we’ve seen two alarming incidents where thousands of job seekers overwhelmed recruitment drives, leading to near stampedes.
On July 16th, a recruitment drive for airport loaders in Mumbai turned into a chaotic scene. Over 25,000 hopeful applicants showed up for just about 2,200 job openings. The Air India Airport Services Limited was overwhelmed by the sheer number of people that created a stampede-like situation.
Visuals from the scene show applicants jostling with each other, trying to reach the form counters. The crowd control measures were insufficient, and many applicants had to wait for hours without food or water. This led to several individuals feeling unwell.
So what does the job of an airport loader entail? Airport loaders are responsible for loading and unloading luggage on aircraft, operating baggage belts, and driving ramp tractors. The salary for this role reportedly ranges from ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 per month. The educational criteria are minimal, but candidates must be physically strong.
We saw another similar incident in Gujarat's Ankleshwar in Bharuch district just a week earlier. 1,800 job seekers showed up for only 40 positions at a private chemical company - Thermax Limited. Aspirants were invited for a walk-in interview but the crowd was so intense that a railing collapsed under their weight! Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported as the ramp wasn’t very high.
These events highlight the dire state of job availability versus demand in India. The desperation for employment is pushing people to extreme lengths, resulting in dangerous situations. Companies and recruitment agencies need to reassess their processes to ensure the safety and well-being of job seekers.
What do you think of the job situation in India? Let us know in the comments. Don't forget to like, share and subscribe for more business news and content.