Government urged to train and hire more disabled people

Tuesday October 21, 2008

Government urged to train and hire more disabled people
Reports by LEE YUK PENG, ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN and LISA GOH

EMPLOYMENT opportunities in Government agencies for the disabled was limited as only the welfare department was hiring them, said Nancy Shukri (BN - Batang Sadong).

She said other Government departments did not hire the disabled as recruitment was carried out by the Public Services Department at the federal level and not at state.

“Even if the state departments or agencies recruited the disabled, the number is small,” she said, adding that support from non-governmental organisations and individuals was needed to help the disabled secure jobs.

Nancy also said that the Semarahan Rehabilitation Centre that provides rehabilitation and vocational training for the disabled was under utilised.

The capacity at the centre was 100 persons but it had only 33 so far, she said, adding that training provided at the centre was not on par with that of the National Vocational Training Council.

“I suggest the Government upgrade the centre so that it will be able to help the disabled get jobs easily.

“It can be done if the centre is equipped with facilities for the disabled and the word disabled is added to its name,” she said, urging the private sector to provide job opportunities to trainees from the Semarahan Rehabilitation Centre.

Nancy said there were some 48,084 disabled people in Sarawak of which 11,646 were in Kuching.