Let’s give them a chance like others: A business case of Shangri-La Hotel Surabaya
For years companies and organizations have been seeking for a competitive advantage under the philosophy of diversity in working places as one of the ways to integrate people with disabilities in the working environment. It has been proven that there are many benefits gained by opening employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
For years companies and organizations have been seeking for a competitive advantage under the philosophy of diversity in working places as one of the ways to integrate people with disabilities in the working environment. It has been proven that there are many benefits gained by opening employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
One company that has opened its door for workers with disabilities is the Shangri-la Hotel in Surabaya, East Java. Since 2007, Shangri-La Surabaya has applied a recruitment and hiring policy based on performance and competencies, including for persons with disabilities.
Fadli Hamzah, 35 years old, is one of the workers benefitting from this policy. He has been working in the engineering section for two years, ensuring smooth daily hotel operation. “For a person with disability like me, I never give up. We have to keep trying,” he said.
Using a sign-language, Ernesta expressed that she also felt the same. “I like working here, I feel motivated,” she said. She also does not face any problems in communicating and collaborating with her fellow-workers.
Just like Fadli and Ernesta, for Rea Sabita Edy, the job boosts her confidence and self-motivation. As the officer for restaurant reservation, this vocational school graduate is able to communicate well with customers. She has been positioned as the company’s front line in getting customers’ trust for three years.
“I directly deal with customers when they want to be members or to pick up vouchers,” she said, adding that “As long as I work here, there has been no discrimination. I work well with other colleagues, we talk and even hang out together.”
A good inclusive working environment has become a motivation for Fadli, Ernesta and Rea to work well. This is in line with the policy and commitment of the company. For Shangri-la Hotel Surabaya, workers with disabilities have the same potentials as others. Their perseverance and seriousness in working are valuable assets for the company to reach target.
“The corporate office sees employees who have disabilities as those who have equal potential as others and can be employed in the same sector like other people at the hotel. They have good working performance, if not much better,” said Renny Herwanto, Communications Manager of Shangri-La Hotel Surabaya.
Seeing the huge contribution that can be given to the companies by people with disabilities, it is hoped that companies will open their doors wider. “Not only Shangrila-Hotel, but we hope that other five star hotels and other industries would be encouraged to do this. Let’s give these friends with disabilities a chance like others,” she added.
“There is a positive impact, for everyone of course, for opening the doors for people with disabilities. For the workers, this helps them getting decent employment and for the employers, they get workers with high productivity. So this is really a win-win solution,” stated Francesco d’Ovidio, Country Director of the ILO in Indonesia.
Getting decent employment is everybody’s right. Unfortunately, 38 million people with disabilities in Indonesia often face difficulties in getting jobs. What they only need is an opportunity to show and demonstrate that they have equal competencies and talents like everybody else.
The corporate office sees employees who have disabilities as those who have equal potential as others and can be employed in the same sector like other people at the hotel. They have good working performance, if not much better."
Renny Herwanto, Communications Manager of Shangri-La Hotel Surabaya.
Fadli Hamzah, 35 years old, is one of the workers benefitting from this policy. He has been working in the engineering section for two years, ensuring smooth daily hotel operation. “For a person with disability like me, I never give up. We have to keep trying,” he said.
Using a sign-language, Ernesta expressed that she also felt the same. “I like working here, I feel motivated,” she said. She also does not face any problems in communicating and collaborating with her fellow-workers.
Just like Fadli and Ernesta, for Rea Sabita Edy, the job boosts her confidence and self-motivation. As the officer for restaurant reservation, this vocational school graduate is able to communicate well with customers. She has been positioned as the company’s front line in getting customers’ trust for three years.
“I directly deal with customers when they want to be members or to pick up vouchers,” she said, adding that “As long as I work here, there has been no discrimination. I work well with other colleagues, we talk and even hang out together.”
There is a positive impact, for everyone of course, for opening the doors for people with disabilities. For the workers, this helps them getting decent employment and for the employers, they get workers with high productivity. So this is really a win-win solution."
Francesco d’Ovidio, Country Director of the ILO in Indonesia
“The corporate office sees employees who have disabilities as those who have equal potential as others and can be employed in the same sector like other people at the hotel. They have good working performance, if not much better,” said Renny Herwanto, Communications Manager of Shangri-La Hotel Surabaya.
Seeing the huge contribution that can be given to the companies by people with disabilities, it is hoped that companies will open their doors wider. “Not only Shangrila-Hotel, but we hope that other five star hotels and other industries would be encouraged to do this. Let’s give these friends with disabilities a chance like others,” she added.
“There is a positive impact, for everyone of course, for opening the doors for people with disabilities. For the workers, this helps them getting decent employment and for the employers, they get workers with high productivity. So this is really a win-win solution,” stated Francesco d’Ovidio, Country Director of the ILO in Indonesia.
Getting decent employment is everybody’s right. Unfortunately, 38 million people with disabilities in Indonesia often face difficulties in getting jobs. What they only need is an opportunity to show and demonstrate that they have equal competencies and talents like everybody else.