When recently addressing the crowd during a political activity, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat made an announcement that made me feel proud that I am a member of this Labour Movement that is strongly committed to helping those members of our society who are mostly vulnerable and in need.

 Dr Muscat stated that every year 400 persons with disability are getting into the labour market as opposed to 50 to 60 people per year in recent years.  

This is a far cry from those times when these members of our society were kept out of sight, let alone offered job opportunities.

This was great news and must have come as a pleasant surprise to all when such figures were quoted.  These results vindicate the efforts being made by the present Government - in particular by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat - in creating a fair society by offering different opportunities to persons with disability.  These opportunities aim at combating social discrimination, facilitating their access to the labour market and supporting the sustainable integration to quality employment of these individuals who continue to be at the risk of social exclusion.

This success did not come from thin air but it is the result of the introduction of new policies by the present administration in fulfilment with our electoral promise to strengthen and to support existing employment whilst incentivising employers to employ and train people with disabilities. 

We believe that there is no better way to give these people their dignity and pride of place in our society than by providing them with employment opportunities.

A recent initiative by this administration was the enforcement of the 1969 legislation which binds employers to have 2% of their workforce composed of people with disabilities.  Surprisingly this initiative received mixed reactions.  It was as if Government was expecting employers to honour their social obligations by employing individuals facing difficulties, including persons with disability, without taking initiatives of its own to help these individuals.

This is definitely not the case.

Since taking office, this administration has been leading by example by introducing budgetary measures and introducing initiatives aimed at creating an equal opportunities society.    

We are also putting money where our mouth is.  Millions of euros of EU Funds, together with counterpart contributions from national funds have been invested in projects, initiatives and schemes intended to enhance the capabilities and skills of persons with disability through training, support and personal assistance. 

Unfortunately, very often, very little is heard about these successes. That is why it is worth mentioning concrete examples.

Through one of these initiatives for instance, over 400 disabled persons received training and over 150 of them were in employment six months after the completion of training.

Indeed, only this week, it was also welcome news that an agreement had been struck between Government, the MEA and the Chamber of Commerce so as to reinforce the quota of disabled persons in places of work.

Through the EU Funded Employment Aid Programme, the Employment and Training Corporation has contributed towards the integration, retention and progression of disadvantaged groups and disabled persons in the labour market.  Such a scheme encourages employers to recruit individuals who, due to pre-conceived ideas, are likely to be excluded from the labour market unless incentives are offered in relation to their employment.

Another EU funded project aims at increasing the literacy skills, computer orientation skills and work values among disadvantaged persons.  This includes persons with disability and looks at enhancing the employability of these groups by addressing educational weaknesses which prevent them from accessing the labour market.  This project has assisted 180 vulnerable persons out of which 68 were registered as being disabled.

Another project was aimed at promoting the social inclusion of disabled persons with challenging behaviour. Around 63 professional staff members received training and were awarded certification at level 6 in dealing with disabled persons with challenging behaviour.  The training has enabled these trainees to train other staff members in the techniques and strategies they have developed.  The project also targeted the inclusion of disabled persons with challenging behaviour in the community.  Ultimately 70 persons were supported.

I could go on and on.  But the good thing is that these measures were not merely one-offs!  In the months ahead we will be taking similar initiatives whilst sustaining others.  

This is the change that had been promised.  These opportunities represent a ray of hope to disabled individuals and crucially, to their families as well.

This is the change which we are bringing around and which we intend to sustain.

Ian Borg is the Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds and EU 2017 Presidency