'We should look at this as a national issue'
As the Singapore government promises to create job amidst the COVID-19 crisis, President Halimah Yacob put the spotlight on persons with disabilities.
In a Facebook post, she urged leaders to review how to offer support to this oft-overlooked group of employees.
“One specific area that I hope the National Jobs Council will also review is how we can generate employment for persons with disabilities,” Yacob wrote. “We should look at this as a national issue, rather than for it to be just an objective of welfare organisations and social service agencies.
“Persons with disabilities will benefit much more if they are mainstreamed in our job creation and job placement efforts, instead of being treated separately.”
READ MORE: Hiring people with disabilities: What you need to know
This group may have been falling off the radar when it comes to D&I strategies even before the pandemic. Last year, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) revealed that among persons with disabilities in the working ages of 15 to 64, only 29% are employed.
Most cited poor health or disability as the main reason for being unemployed, while another 4% said they were actively looking for a job.
Zaqy Mohamad, Minister of State for Manpower said that one of the issues was that some employers and persons with disabilities may have reservations about job fit and the suitability of the work environment.
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Andreas Sungaimin, SVP, Human Capital Development at Pan Pacific told HRD that the key to successfully establishing an inclusive workplace involves recognising it is journey for both the employer and employee. He suggested celebrating “small successes” and understanding that successful integration takes “one step at a time”.
He then shared with HRD how HR can play a vital role in the journey.
“HR should take the lead in putting in place a framework which is sustainable and takes into consideration the little details,” he said.
HR should also work with a support network of supervisors and team members to plan out a suitable and meaningful career pathway for these employees. HR’s input is crucial due to their expertise on best practices, and knowing what works and what doesn’t, Sungaiman added.
In the context of today’s crisis, unemployment hits just as hard for this vulnerable group of people.
“In my many conversations with parents of persons with disabilities, the lack of job opportunities for their children and the worry of how their children will sustain themselves after they are gone are often lifelong concerns,” wrote Yacob.
She also shared that this year the President’s Challenge is focused on empowering persons with disabilities and have partnered with over 100 employers to provide training and employment to individuals.
More than 100 organisations have signed an Enabling Employment Pledge to “signal our joint commitment”, she wrote. However, she urged more to join in the effort.
“COVID-19 has brought about major disruptions and uncertainties,” she wrote. “But the silver lining is that it is also an opportunity for us to review our national priorities.
“If we as a nation decide to define compassion and kindness as what we truly value, we can emerge from this crisis a better people. So let us stand in solidarity with our fellow Singaporeans, and make the best out of this crisis.”