KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 – Since 2022, 10,766 disabled individuals have been active in the Malaysian workforce, according to Nancy Shukri, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development.
Based on statistics from the Public Service Department (JPA), 3,717 disabled civil servants have been employed by the government since 2022.
In the private sector, 7,049 people with various forms of disability have been employed from 2022 to May 31, 2024, according to the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) under the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA).
Nancy provided the figures in response to a question from Hulu Terengganu MP, Rosol Wahid, who wanted to know the number of disabled persons (OKU) who have entered the workforce from 2022, and the measures the ministry was taking to ensure that talented and capable disabled people receive equal opportunities in employment.
In her written reply to Parliament yesterday, Nancy said that KESUMA provides employment opportunities for disabled individuals through its MYFuture Jobs portal and organises Career Carnival programmes that include job interview sessions, on a daily and weekly basis throughout the country.
Additionally, her ministry offers various programmes to assist disabled people in gaining employment including Bengkel Terlindung (Sheltered Workshop), Job Coach Programme, Economic Empowerment Programme (EEP), which is implemented under the Community Rehabilitation Programme (PDK), and provides allowances for working disabled individuals.
“Section 29 of the Person With Disabilities Act 2008 (Act 685) has clarified the right of the disabled to gain access to employment on the basis of equality with abled people,” said the minister.
“In the recruitment of disabled people to work, employers must provide suitable and reasonable adaptations to disabled people in an effort to promote stable employment by assessing their ability appropriately, providing workplaces, and carrying out appropriate employment management.
“As such, all parties should provide a fair chance for the disabled to be employed not just for their welfare, but also to support better economic development for the country.”
