Disabled get 3 p.c. job reservations

Irangika Range

The Government has decided to reserve three percent of employment opportunities to persons with disabilities in the State and private sectors, Minister of Labour Relations and Manpower Athauda Seneviratne said.

The Minister participating at a job fair for persons with disabilities conducted at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo said, the aim of this is to see disabled persons fully participate and develop their abilities.

This 53rd job fair was conducted with the participation of 500 disabled people under the supervision of the Ministry.

There are 60 million disabled persons in the world. Countries like China, Thailand and Japan have already reserved five percent of job opportunities to persons with disabilities. An important principle underlying this program shows that persons with disabilities should not be treated in isolation, but within the context of normal community services.

Job fairs conducted in the future will give priority for disabled persons to obtain jobs, based on their skills. "We provide appropriate rehabilitation, educational and skills training services to disabled people throughout the country," he said. "They will be invited to come forward and find a suitable job according to their abilities," the Minister said.

Technical support for this program is being provided by the International Labour Organization.