Labour minister Heng Sour (out of frame) addressed the inclusive job forum in Phnom Penh on December 11. LABOUR MINISTRY
Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Heng Sour has reiterated the ministry’s intentions to ensure that people with disabilities make up three per cent of the workforce of the Kingdom’s large factories and enterprises.
Sour made the remarks while addressing the closing ceremony of an inclusive December 11 job forum, held to assist the disabled with finding work.
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The ministry has previously said that the number of people with disabilities employed across the country remains limited.
“We will continue to work with factories and manufacturing enterprises to ensure they are flexible in their hiring policies. Depending on their skills, many of the disabled could work in call centres, or become white-collar workers. Decent jobs will improve their livelihoods,” he said.
The minister encouraged the disabled to examine the vocational skill programmes that the government plans to offer in the near future. The training will be made available to about 1.5 million young people from impoverished or vulnerable families, with no tuition fees while a monthly living allowance will be provided.
He also encouraged people with disabilities not to lose hope, saying they should work to overcome their difficulties and join the government in building up the society, rather than becoming burdens.
Em Chan Makara, secretary-general of the Disability Action Council (DAC), called on private sector businesses to produce documents which people with disabilities would find easier to read.
He offered his suggestion during a same-day workshop held to review the results of the “Information Assessment for Disabled Persons in Cambodia” report.
The Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation quoted Chan Makara as urging the expansion of educational programmes for people with disabilities.
“Receiving clear information about what support is available will help improve the quality of life of disabled persons. It is important for them to receive information regarding education, training, healthcare and other public service opportunities,” he said.
He requested that all relevant units increase the use of sign language, the Braille alphabet, large typefaces, and voice messages, as these would allow people with disabilities to communicate more, and speak their minds.
