There are still many barriers that need to be removed in creating jobs for people with disabilities.

Tuy Hung Joint Stock Company (Kim Thanh) creates jobs for many people with disabilities.

Hard to find a job

Mr. Nguyen Van Quyet (in Tuan Viet commune, Kim Thanh) has been deaf and mute since childhood. Due to a congenital disability, he got married at nearly 30 years old. His wife is also a PWD. The life of Mr. Quyet's family is very difficult because it is difficult for him and his wife to find jobs at businesses near their home, only working in the fields and gardens. Mr. Quyet realized that one of the barriers that makes it difficult for PWD to find jobs is the lack of knowledge and professional skills. Health is also an obstacle in the path of PWD to find jobs.

Hai Duong currently has nearly 40,000 PWDs, of which more than 50% are of working age. Therefore, creating jobs for PWDs is essential, helping them integrate into the community and support themselves. However, in reality, the barriers are not only on the PWD side but also on the businesses side.

Tuy Hung Joint Stock Company in Tuan Viet Commune has more than 30 employees, of which PWDs account for more than half. With the spirit of mutual love and support, the company has always welcomed PWDs to work for many years. However, the company has encountered many difficulties in accepting disabled workers. Mr. Vu Ngoc Tuy, the company's director, said that at the beginning of the year, a major partner was very satisfied after checking and evaluating the company's products and planned to sign a long-term contract. "The contract is good, but the problem is that the delivery time they set is very strict while the productivity and qualifications of PWDs are limited and cannot meet the requirements. Therefore, we had to regretfully miss the order," said Mr. Tuy.

According to many business owners, when PWDs meet the job requirements and are recruited, they are very hard-working, dedicated and rarely "job-hopping". However, it is not easy for PWDs to access job information. Most businesses only post recruitment information for normal people and rarely recruit disabled workers. Therefore, most PWDs have to grope around to find jobs. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu (in Viet Hoa ward, Hai Duong city) said: "I am deaf but my limbs are still intact so I can do jobs such as sewing and packaging products, but I cannot find a business that recruits PWDs. I had to go to each business to ask for a job".

When recruiting disabled workers, businesses must supplement facilities and even carefully research suitable machinery and equipment for PWDs to work. These barriers also make many businesses reluctant to recruit PWDs.

More support needed

The State has promptly issued support policies and encouraged businesses to pay attention to creating jobs for people with disabilities.

According to Decree 28/2012/ND-CP of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on PWDs, enterprises employing 30% or more of their total workforce as PWDs are entitled to preferential policies on taxes, loans, land leases, etc. Enterprises are supported with funding to improve working conditions and environments suitable for PWDs according to regulations. The level of support depends on the proportion of PWDs working stably at production and business establishments, the level of disability of employees, and the scale of production and business establishments according to regulations of the Prime Minister. In addition, enterprises are also exempted from corporate income tax; receive preferential loans under production and business development projects from the Social Policy Bank; and are given priority in leasing land, premises, and water surfaces according to regulations, etc.

Creating jobs for people with disabilities requires enthusiastic support from businesses.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Nha, an official of the Provincial Association for the Disabled, having a job not only gives PWDs the opportunity to interact with society but also creates an independent life. Therefore, in recent years, the Provincial Association for the Disabled has always paid attention to supporting PWDs in finding jobs. The Association has connected with a number of businesses and production establishments that want to recruit PWDs to find jobs for them; implemented a model of linking with businesses to create jobs for PWDs. However, Ms. Nha admitted that only having the support of the Association for the Disabled is not enough, but also needs the cooperation and contribution of many related units, local authorities and the enthusiasm of businesses.

In addition to the State's policies and the support of the Association of PWDs and the Center for Employment Services - Vocational Education, solving employment for PWDs also requires the enthusiastic participation of businesses. PWDs must also equip themselves with knowledge and professional skills, and be ready to take on the work of employers to assert themselves.

HAI MINH