Government studies required hiring of disabled<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government is considering drafting a bill to
\ncompel companies to employ disabled people.<\/p>\n
Minister for Social Services Yustika Baharsyah said in a
\nseminar on employment here on Thursday that a new law is needed
\nto ensure equal opportunities for people with disabilities and
\nenable their participation in the work force.<\/p>\n
\"They can be as productive if not more productive than normal
\npeople. They can make significant contributions to the company
\nthey work with,\" she told an audience of 100 people comprising
\nbusinessmen and government officials.<\/p>\n
\"In Yogyakarta there is a non-governmental organization that
\nhas successfully trained disabled people and even exported the
\nfruit of their labor to the United Kingdom, New Zealand,
\nAustralia and the Netherlands,\" she said.<\/p>\n
The current laws on the disabled, Law No. 4\/1997 and
\nPresidential Decree No. 83\/1999, have not worked well, she said,
\nbecause they were in effect only appeals for companies to recruit
\ndisabled people.<\/p>\n
Iftikhar Ahmed, the Jakarta branch director of the
\nInternational Labor Organization (ILO), said some countries took
\na persuasive approach while others set rules requiring companies
\nto employ disabled people.<\/p>\n
Minister of Manpower Fahmi Idris said experts have identified
\n104 jobs suitable for disabled people.<\/p>\n
\"It is proof that there are wide opportunities for people with
\ndisabilities,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Barbara Murray, ILO senior specialist in vocational
\nrehabilitation, said many countries introduced new laws and
\nmodified rules on education, training and employment to make
\nworkplaces more accessible and supportive for the disabled.<\/p>\n
Underlining the importance of appropriate jobs, support and
\ntechnical aid for them will ensure low accident rates and high
\nproductivity, she said.<\/p>\n
In promoting job opportunities for the disabled, Robert Heron,
\nan ILO senior specialist, underlined the importance of the
\nrecruitment process in channeling them to appropriate positions
\nin the work force.<\/p>\n
He said public employment services are needed to act as agents
\nfor the disabled, saying the government agencies should develop
\nlinks with companies as clients and partners. (06)<\/p>",
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