The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) has initiated the differently- abled employer options which recognizes that such persons persons could be tangible contributors to the usual workforce in the country.

The EFC disabilities program recognizes those with disabilities as valuable contributors to the normal workforce. Subject to certain assistance programs on skills training, persons absorbed into the workforce had proven their contribution had been more outstanding than their peers at the same work table, EFC Director General Ravie Peiris, said.

He was addressing the forum on ‘National Meeting on Decent Work and People with Disabilities’ in Colombo last week.

He said these initiatives were supported by the International labour Organization (ILO).

Employers exposed to this program were enthusiastic on these possibilities being expanded. The immediate response was that at least 20 corporate entities had joined the differently-abled work program.

He said that former Secretaries General of the EFC, Franklyn Amarasinghe and Gotabhaya Dassanayake, who were present at the forum, had been instrumental in its formulation.

However, its prime mover was Ms. Megamali Aluwihare of the EFC, whose consistent efforts were intensely recognized, Peiris said.

Already about 400 persons had been gainfully employed. Additionally, the scheme was propagated in the Northern province. In Vavuniya about 100 persons had been effectively placed.

Country Director, ILO Colombo, Donglin Li, said the EFC was in a lead position to initiate a network data base for disabled persons, and could be based on the ILO mandate for conditions of freedom, and equity that could meet international labour standards.

He said US$ 470 million had been allocated for this purpose by the ILO. 70% was absorbed by Asian countries. 159 countries had accepted the skills development program, which was adopted in 2001.

Proactive development for such skills development were now ongoing in the North and east, he said.

Secretary Ministry of Labour, Upali Wijeweera also addressed the forum.

Senior Specialist in Disability Inclusion, ILO, Geneva, Debra Perry, said ILOs human rights issue on section 111 on the ILO convention had involved about 159 governments on integration of persons with disabilities in the workforce. This was co-relevant to guide training, and promoting equal employment for those recognized as being with disabilities..

About 785 million persons in the age group 15 to 59 was about 15% of those in a global workforce of some one billion persons, who were recognized as differently-abled, she said. Sri Lanka through its intense corporate responsibility programs was a leading country recognizing available potential for entry of such persons into the workforce.

Executive Director, Australia Employers Network, Suzanne Colbert, and VCCI Blue Ribbon Panel, Mai Hong, from Vietnam also spoke.

The panel discussion was facilitated by Program and Operations Officer ( ILO) Geneva, Henrik Moller.