The findings, which were presented at a seminar organised specifically by the commission’s chairman Joe Camilleri, were that disabled people incur a number of expenses to join the workforce because employment often requires investment in new equipment that facilitates integration in the work environment.
At present a disabled person joining the work force does so at the expense of social benefits. Based on Dr Cordina’s report, the commission proposed a permanent support scheme for workers with severe disability whereby the money previously received in pension form would be available for the new employee in the form of aid for the purchase of such equipment, job coaching and other types of facilitation.
The findings indicate that there are some 4,000 disabled people who can have a significant effect on the Maltese economy. The aim of this scheme is to place these individuals on a level playing field with the rest of the workforce.
By June last year there were some 1,049 people with disabilities employed full time and some 307 who had registered for employment.
A number of stakeholders attended the seminar, including officials from a number of unions, NGOs, service providers etc.
Giving a comment to this newspaper, commission manager Ann-Marie Callus said: “There was a very positive feedback from those present at the seminar. We were expecting this response from NGOs working in the field, however everyone seemed to welcome the proposals.
“This is an opportunity to empower individuals who would like to contribute to the community,” Ms Callus said, “and be rid of dependency on social benefits.”
Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina echoed this point, saying that she was convinced that gainful occupation would give these people a sense of fulfilment that social benefits do not provide.
“We are living in a fresh era,” she said. “We have to do our best to reap the fruits of EU accession while upholding the values of solidarity and equality, a part of the Union since its inception.
“The document presented by the commission today is a valuable tool in furthering the path towards an inclusive society an area which is evolving at a rapid pace”, said Ms Cristina. “Dr Cordina’s study should be taken as policy guidelines for this field.”