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/.

SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT MR SENATOR!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

MALAYSIA'S FIRST DISABLED SENATOR Prof Dr Ismail Mohd Salleh, should have shown his support for YB Karpal Singh in Parliament instead of remaining silent.

This was what more than half of readers opined in a PET+BLOGSPOT POLL recently.

They were reacting to the incident in April 30 last month when the DAP leader - in a wheelchair - was ridiculed by two Members of Parliament when they asked why he did not stand up first before addressing the House.

One of the MP is an Independent whilst the other is from Barisan.

The incident infuriated the disabled community - including Petpositive. It led the Society to jointly organise a memorandum handing-over event in Parliament House on the eighth of this month.

In an interview with Malaysiakini, Ismail who is also adviser to the Prime Minister on matters regarding the disabled, commented that what had happened to Karpal was not a disabled issue.

His response has been condemned by Petpositive and the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) in Rawang, Selangor. Both leaders of the NGOs are longtime wheelchairs users.

"It is a disgrace that of all persons, a disabled senator, should say such a thing," said Anthony Thanasayan, leader of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association."

Ismail should vacate his position immediately and let someone else represent our needs in Parliament," echoed Francis Siva, president of the self-help support NGO ILTC.

Thirty three percent of the voters thought that Ismail who is also president of the Malaysian Association for the Blind, should speak up more for concerns of disabled people in Malaysia.

And equal number of respondents also called for his immediate resignation over the Karpal issue.
They said his silence and lackadaisical attitude proved that he was inept for his position.

Some accused him of being only concerned about the blind.However, PET+BLOGSPOT has received complaints from a number of blind individuals who say that Ismail has yet to raise any of their issues at all since his appointment as senator on December 19 of last year.

Only two voters thought that Ismail was doing a good job and that he should continue doing what he is currently doing.PETPOSITIVE SAYS: Well, dear Senator, as they say, you better shape up real soon or get ready to ship out!

aNtPET+BLOGSPOT

Rodziah Ismail And The Disabled

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Rodziah Ismail And The Disabled

QUICK COMMENT: PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES have always been campaigning for their right to be included in matters involving them.

Last Thursday, seven representatives from two well-known societies for the disabled (and the elderly) met up with the newly appointed Selangor welfare, women’s affairs, science, technology and innovation committee chairman Rodziah Ismail to highlight their concerns.

The one-hour meeting held in Shah Alam was initiated by Petpositive and coordinated by the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) in Rawang, Selangor.

Raising the awareness of the disabled and elderly among local councils is one of the objectives of Petpositive.

We also highlighted the usefulness of animal-assisted therapy for handicapped and elderly people to YB Rodziah Ismail.

She was very receptive to the idea and pointed out to us that she had several cats of her own which play a therapeutic role in her life.

Petpositive was represented by Anthony Thanasayan and Captain Abdul Karim Stuart Russell.

From the ILTC were Francis Siva (president), Gurdip Kaur (secretary), and three other members.

Immediately after our meeting, Star reporter Jade Chan conducted her interview with the YB.

Here is her report that came out on StarMetro on Saturday:

aNtPET+BLOGSPOT