Parliamentary Secretary for Rights of Persons with Disability Justyne Caruana announced the creation of a law that will see persons with disability represented on government boards and in government authorities.
The Parliamentary secretary explained that a bid is currently being prepared and is targeted for presentation by the end of October. A number of Boards and Authorities will be chosen, however it is only the first exercise, she explained. Dr Caruana was unable to give examples of how the selection process would occur at this stage.
Together with Education Minister Evarist Bartolo and Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Ian Borg, Dr Caruana toured the new ETC Sheltered Employment Training Centre for disabled persons in Mtarfa.
Workers of sheltered workshops are persons with disability who, due to their impairment, are currently not able to work in the open labour market. Around two to three million people work in sheltered workshops around Europe. These workers include persons with intellectual disability, mental problems and persons from socially disadvantaged categories (including those who have for a long time been unemployed).
The type of difficulties encountered by these workers include slower rhythm of work, lack of transversal skills, cognitive difficulties and others.
Through this programme, that sees Inspire workers handling the day-to-day functionality, workers will gain individualised human support, simplified procedures for their work tasks and activities matched to personal skills.
The total funds currently available for this project stand at €1,757,004 with 34 participants with disability. It is projected for this number to rise to around 150 persons by 2015.
Minister Evarist Bartolo also gave a brief speech following his tour. "This is not about charity, this is about social justice," he explained. The Minister emphasised that this is but a small step in this direction as a large portion of Maltese persons with disability are still unemployed.
"Work gives people their dignity," the Minister argued.
Minister Bartolo also announced plans to invest €35 million to help encourage further employment. He argued that it is pointless to invest millions into education of persons until the age of 16 should they not be able to find work afterwards.
Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg announced that the European Social Fund, based around training and employment will see €138 million euros invested into Malta. 25% of this fund will be dedicated towards social inclusion, he added.
The scheme has received good feedback from employers and a number of certificates were handed out by the Minister following the speeches.