ILO holds Job Fair for persons with disabilities

ILO/ LEED+ or the Local Empowerment through Economic Development and Reconciliation Project launched in September 2018 in Sri Lanka. Building on more than eight years of work by ILO and multiple stakeholders, the programme promotes resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth strategies for conflict-affected communities.

Press release | 04 December 2019
Colombo (ILO News) - To observe the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, together with the Department of Social Services and Welfare, hosted a large job fair for skilled people with disabilities. The event took place in Jaffna, on 3rd December, a day commemorated annually as a United Nations special day of observance.

The job fair attracted 275 skilled job seekers, who are persons with disabilities, to attend the event, coming from all five districts of the Northern Province. Despite the limited access to public transport, many still came from rural and remote localities to participate.

Seven large-scale private sector companies and four small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with an established presence in the region participated in the job fair. These companies provided 275 job seekers with disabilities the opportunity to engage in networking and explore employment opportunities.
About 275 skilled persons with disabilities attended the job fair and met private companies to explore job opportunities.

During the half-day session, 81 persons with disabilities received confirmation of job offers, and 20 more persons have been selected for a further round of interviews.

ILO/ LEED+ or the Local Empowerment through Economic Development and Reconciliation Project launched in September 2018 in Sri Lanka. Building on more than eight years of work by ILO and multiple stakeholders, the programme promotes resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth strategies for conflict-affected communities.

LEED+ work in Sri Lanka is supported by the Government of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) together with the Royal Norwegian Government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) mandate is to help member countries including Sri Lanka to create decent work opportunities for all people. Particularly important for this endeavour is to create jobs and livelihoods which are inclusive of the special needs of the disabled.
Sections of the participants for the job fair

Companies participating in the job fair included MAS Active, MAS KREEDA (Vaanavil), Jetwing Jaffna, Lanka Ice Group of Companies, Taproben Sea Food Company Pvt. Ltd., SPK Rock Pvt. Ltd., and the SMEs: Rajah Stores, Quin Products, Yarl Ice cream, Vesta Industries, and Annaimugan Industries.

For more information

please contact: Mr. Asitha Seneviratne, ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives: asitha@ilo.org , Tel: + 94112592525