Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are calling on employers to recognise the abilities of disabled individuals, and ensure they have access to job opportunities.
Pharani Phuprasoet, director of Thai Health Promotion Foundation’s Office for Health Promotion in Specific Groups, says there are approximately 850,000 people with disabilities are of working age, but only around 530,000 have gainful employment.
A 2007 act requires organizations to employ one disabled person per 100 staff members. However, organisations can instead contribute to a fund promoting disabled employment. The Social Innovation Foundation has helped over 50,000 disabled people secure jobs with a monthly salary of at least THB 9,000 (USD 265) in the past eight years, SIF President Apichart Karoonkornsakul has noted.
SIF is now working with partners to establish an association promoting equal opportunities and job creation for disabled individuals.
