Hypermarket chain offers jobs to handicapped

Wednesday May 21, 2008

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Hypermarket chain offers jobs to handicapped
By MEERA DEVI DARAN

CARREFOUR Malaysia is extending a hand to the disabled community by offering jobs.

The move is in line with the company's corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme that seeks to create equality in the workplace by putting an end to the prejudice and discrimination often experienced by the disabled community.

A registration counter was set up in Carrefour's head office in Subang Jaya recently to invite the disabled for interviews. By the end of the day, 28 disabled people had submitted their resumes.

Carrefour Malaysia/Singapore managing director Shafie Shamsuddin said the company would adapt to the needs of the disabled so that they could perform tasks within their capacity.

More opportunities: Shafie (centre) speaking to a potential employee while Ras Adiba (right) looks on

Also present at the gathering were Carrefour Malaysia public relations and CSR director Ras Adiba Radzi, human resource director Fauzi Hassan, marketing and communications director Sivakumar Haridass and representatives of Malaysian associations for the disabled.

The employment programme is a collaborative effort with associations such as The Bravehearts of K9, a non-governmental organisation that supports people with spinal cord injuries, the Independent Training Living Centre, the Society of the Orthopaedically Handicapped, Persatuan Orang-orang Pekak Malaysia, and Persatuan Keluarga dan Interaksi Orang Kurang Upaya.

Referring to the challenges faced by disabled people, Shafie spoke at length about personal mobility and the psychological barrier that existed between the handicapped and the society.

“We hire talented people for their abilities, not their disabilities,” said Shafie.

He went on to say that his experiences in working with the disabled had taught him that society was underutilising the resources available.

Carrefour Malaysia targets a minimum of 5% employment for the handicapped by the year 2012.

The multinational company has a staff strength of 4,000, of whom 21 have physical disabilities.

To achieve its vision of a level playing field for the disabled, the company will design a two-week adaptation programme for new employees and allocate funds from the Carrefour Foundation to provide adequate transport facilities for those in need.

Applications may be made to the Director of Human Resource, No. 3 Jln SS 16/1, 47100 Subang Jaya, Selangor or via e-mail to talentmy@carrefour.com. For more details, visit Carrefour's website at http://www.carrefour.com/.