Seminar aims to enhance the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace
The ILO gathers employers to share experiences on how to make workplaces more inclusive for people with disabilities in the Arab States region.
1 December 2013
Content also available in:
العربية
Amman (ILO News) – A seminar, organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), brings together employers and disabled people’s organizations from the region to discuss ways to promote and share knowledge in hiring of persons with disabilities in Amman on 1 and 2 December 2013.
Companies presented their national and global initiatives and activities on how to successfully include persons with disabilities in the workforce. The two-day event, which was organised under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Raad bin Zeid, Chief Chamberlain and President of the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities, examines some of the barriers faced by people with disabilities in the workplace – not only physical barriers, but also social and attitudinal barriers.
‘’The Ministry of Labour is working on a number of programmes to enhance the recruitment of persons with disabilities. This year we helped hundreds find work. However, many still face challenges in Jordan and Middle East in terms of finding employment opportunities, particularly due to cultural attitudes that persist in the workplace environment. There is a need for international support for greater rehabilitation and skills training, and for systems which match persons with disabilities with jobs which are appropriate for their abilities and ambitions,’’ said Hamada Abu Nijmeh, Secretary General of the Ministry of Labour.
An increasing number of businesses are becoming aware of the potential people with disabilities bring to the workplace. Not only do people with disabilities constitute a large untapped source of skills and talent, but company leaders and managers, along with the ILO, also believe that companies have a lot to benefit from diverse workforces.
“Being a disability inclusive company creates competitive advantage for business. When hiring persons with disabilities, it is important that companies base their recruitment decisions on the same criteria as any other recruitment decisions: on the persons’ competencies and skills for the job. This will be not only good for business, but also good for the persons with disabilities,“ said Stefan Tromel, ILO Senior Disability Specialist.
‘’Some employers are not aware of the skills and potentials persons with disabilities have, and the benefits their inclusion into the labour market can bring. So it is important for us to spread awareness of these benefits amongst employers and others in order to narrow the gaps that exist in society,’’ said Hoda El Merghany, deputy executive director for the research and technical studies at the Federation of Egyptian Industries.
The seminar is being held ahead of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3. One out of every seven people in the world—or some 1 billion people—has a disability. Between 785 and 975 million of them are estimated to be of working age, but most do not work.
It is being carried out by ILO Global Business and Disability Network, in collaboration with the ILO Regional Office for Arab States. The ILO Global Business and Disability Network comprises multinational enterprises, employers' organizations, and regional and global non-governmental and disabled peoples' organizations. The Network aims to support companies to include and retain employees with disabilities, as well as integrate disability inclusion practices with their strategic business plans.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
Companies presented their national and global initiatives and activities on how to successfully include persons with disabilities in the workforce. The two-day event, which was organised under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Raad bin Zeid, Chief Chamberlain and President of the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities, examines some of the barriers faced by people with disabilities in the workplace – not only physical barriers, but also social and attitudinal barriers.
‘’The Ministry of Labour is working on a number of programmes to enhance the recruitment of persons with disabilities. This year we helped hundreds find work. However, many still face challenges in Jordan and Middle East in terms of finding employment opportunities, particularly due to cultural attitudes that persist in the workplace environment. There is a need for international support for greater rehabilitation and skills training, and for systems which match persons with disabilities with jobs which are appropriate for their abilities and ambitions,’’ said Hamada Abu Nijmeh, Secretary General of the Ministry of Labour.
An increasing number of businesses are becoming aware of the potential people with disabilities bring to the workplace. Not only do people with disabilities constitute a large untapped source of skills and talent, but company leaders and managers, along with the ILO, also believe that companies have a lot to benefit from diverse workforces.
“Being a disability inclusive company creates competitive advantage for business. When hiring persons with disabilities, it is important that companies base their recruitment decisions on the same criteria as any other recruitment decisions: on the persons’ competencies and skills for the job. This will be not only good for business, but also good for the persons with disabilities,“ said Stefan Tromel, ILO Senior Disability Specialist.
‘’Some employers are not aware of the skills and potentials persons with disabilities have, and the benefits their inclusion into the labour market can bring. So it is important for us to spread awareness of these benefits amongst employers and others in order to narrow the gaps that exist in society,’’ said Hoda El Merghany, deputy executive director for the research and technical studies at the Federation of Egyptian Industries.
The seminar is being held ahead of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3. One out of every seven people in the world—or some 1 billion people—has a disability. Between 785 and 975 million of them are estimated to be of working age, but most do not work.
It is being carried out by ILO Global Business and Disability Network, in collaboration with the ILO Regional Office for Arab States. The ILO Global Business and Disability Network comprises multinational enterprises, employers' organizations, and regional and global non-governmental and disabled peoples' organizations. The Network aims to support companies to include and retain employees with disabilities, as well as integrate disability inclusion practices with their strategic business plans.
For more information, please contact [email protected]