AP Set To Incentivise Work From Home For Women

This initiative not only empowers women, but also provides economic stability to their families. Further, it’ll boost the State’s economy. This model has the potential to be a game-changer and will set a benchmark for other States - Sreedhar Kosaraju, Director, AP DTI Network, tells Bizz Buzz

Visakhapatnam: The Andhra Pradesh Government is preparing a policy framework to encourage work from home (WFH) and gig work culture mainly to provide an opportunity to educated and professionally qualified women, who have turned home-makers due to domestic compulsions.

To give a big push for WFM, the government may announce incentives to those providing a platform to work part-time or on a flexible time basis. The government has already announced its desire to provide social security to gig workers, who work as freelancers based on a specific task or project. This may create job opportunities in a big way as virtual assistants, data entry specialists, data scientists, graphic designers, java developers and appointment-setters.

In a recent posting on micro-blogging site X, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said: “Andhra Pradesh is planning Work From Home in a big way, especially for women. First, I would like to extend greetings to all women and girls in STEM on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.”

Naidu said: “Now, returning to the headline - As we know, the work landscape underwent a shift during the Covid-19 pandemic. With technology readily available to scale, Work From Home gained prominence. Concepts such as remote work, co-working spaces (CWS), and Neighbourhood Workspaces (NWS) can empower businesses and employees alike to create flexible, productive work environments.”

He hastened to add that such initiatives can help us strike a better work-life balance as well. “We plan to harness these trends to drive meaningful change in AP. The Andhra Pradesh IT & GCC Policy 4.0 is a game-changing step in that direction. We’re offering incentives for developers to create IT office spaces in every city/town/mandal and supporting IT/GCC firms to generate employment at the grassroots. I’m confident these initiatives will foster greater workforce participation, especially of women professionals, who will benefit through flexible remote/hybrid work options.”

Welcoming the bold initiative, Sreedhar Kosaraju, Director, AP DTI Network and Chairman, DeepTech Naipunya Foundation, told Bizz Buzz that Chief Minister Naidu’s vision has always been ahead of its time, whether it’s for 2020 or 2047.

“Your idea of empowering women with STEM skills and enabling them to secure science and technology jobs through the Work From Home option is truly phenomenal. This initiative not only empowers women, but also provides economic stability to their families. Further, it’ll boost the State’s economy. This model has the potential to be a game-changer and will set a benchmark for other States. I urge you to focus on upskilling these women to ensure the success of this transformative vision,” he said.

The State Government in the Vision for Swarnandhra-2047 focuses on achieving a sustained 15 per cent growth rate and ensuring fiscal responsibility by effectively managing and repaying loans drawing inspiration from Gujarat. By encouraging WFH, the government appears to be keen to leverage the ‘first mover advantage.’