Karnataka: At IKEA store launch, Shivakumar seeks more jobs for Kannadigas

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday urged Swedish home furnishings retailer IKEA to create more employment opportunities for Kannadigas and deepen its sourcing from Karnataka as he inaugurated the company's second Bengaluru store on Kanakapura Road.

The appeal comes amid a renewed campaign by pro-Kannada organisations seeking a greater share of private-sector jobs for residents.

"We are inviting global investors to Karnataka and creating opportunities here. IKEA should give higher priority to Karnataka and provide more jobs to local Kannadigas," Shivakumar said at the inauguration. He said the state's youth possessed the skills needed to excel in customer-facing and business roles.


The CM also encouraged IKEA to strengthen ties with local manufacturers, saying Karnataka's small and medium enterprises could produce high-quality furniture and should be integrated into the retailer's supply chain.

Shivakumar's remarks come as Kannada groups led by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) step up a month-long campaign on local employment. Since November 1, activists have visited the offices of several multinational companies, including Google, Amazon and Wells Fargo, seeking details on the proportion of Kannadigas in their workforce and measures being taken to improve local hiring.

The CM on Wednesday asked pro-Kannada groups not to indulge in intimidation or moral policing and assured companies that the government would protect businesses from such actions. At the same time, he urged employers to tap Karnataka's talent pool.

"While skill-based hiring will not be interfered with, Kannadigas must get a significant share of jobs. There is an enormous pool of talented local youth. Give them the opportunities they deserve," he said.

The local employment debate has resurfaced after allegations on social media that some companies discriminate against Kannadigas during recruitment. Last year, the Siddaramaiah-led government withdrew a bill proposing reservations for locals in private-sector jobs after strong opposition from the technology industry and industry body Nasscom, which warned of its impact on investment and talent mobility.