JSSSL empowers transgender community

JSS Security Services Ltd (JSSSL), the most professional security leader of the industry, has recently recruited transgender security guards to work for H&M Group, the second-largest fashion retailer in the world.

This is the very first time for members of the transgender community in Bangladesh to be integrated into the local safety and security service industry, said a press release on Monday.

"We believe, that this important step will help to spread awareness around the importance of breaking stereotypes and providing equal employment opportunities for all, "said scholars.  

Transgender activist Ananya Banik said, "The transgender community has long been neglected and abused and they did not get identities and inheritance. But things are changing. I hope more organisations will work towards integrating the community, empowering and enabling them in the process."

H&M's Regional Country Manager Mr Ziaur Rahman said, "In our company we encourage people to be themselves and to respect others for who they are.  We believe in being inclusive and promoting diversity in all aspects of our business and across our value chain. This also includes providing inclusive and equal employment opportunities."

"H&M Group is breaking gender stereotypes in Bangladesh by hiring eight transgender people as security guards through their partners. Although this is just a first step, it is an important one, which will hopefully be scalable and an inspiration to our suppliers and other companies to do the same.  We warmly welcome our new colleagues and look forward to a more inclusive future," he added.

CEO of JSSSL MD Ferdous Ur Rahman says: "Transgender people in our country are socially neglected and excluded from the society and they often face harassment. We have been trying for a long time to integrate this potent manpower into our society, as it ideally should be."

"The objective of hiring this community through the initiative is not just about creating awareness on third gender issues, but establishing their human dignity in the society by empowering them to be self-dependent," he added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told a cabinet meeting in November 2020 that new inheritance laws for transgender people are being drafted to address the social inequality towards the community.