Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/281887
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 23 MARCH 2014 Opinion Evarist Bartolo 22 Disabled in work: still a long way to go M alta is fully committed to the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020, which asserts that persons with disabilities have the right to participate fully and equally both in society and in the economy. It is widely acknowledged that this sector of Malta's population has, throughout the past twenty years, had difficulty in accessing the labour market; 95% of those of all ages who admitted to some form of impairment (over 27,000 persons) at the last National Census 2012 were not in gainful employment. Worse still, the small number (1472) who were in employment in 2004 had declined by 15% to only 1247 by 2012. Any society that excludes some 20,000 of its adult citizens from potential employment is not keeping up with the fair society mantra. The message we are seeking to send is that this Government is determined to understand the strengths and aptitudes of each of these citizens and that we intend to make tangible efforts to meet the challenge of professionally including as many of them as possible in our workforce over the coming four years. We have started by inviting both those very few young adults who have been receiving vocational training over the past twelve months through the Job Bridge program and a few employers who have been providing them with work exposure. Government wishes to partner with many more employers, families and other social actors in promoting both suitable jobs in terms of quantitative numbers as well as quality of life at work for people with personal challenges. Employers have historically not complied with the so-called 'Quotas Act': out of 1288 employers in Malta that employ twenty or more persons, 910 employers (71%) do not employ one single person that is or was identified as a person with disability on the ETC register; in Gozo, 28 employers out of 49 (57%) do not employ any person with impairment. I feel that my first duty is to call for employers' associations to self- regulate respect for the employment legislation, which has been largely ignored since 1969. Allowing the 'status quo' of 95% unemployment within any sector of a population is not something that a socially conscious Government can allow to continue. We intend to try to hand-hold each individual young adult by first determining through vocational assessment whether he/she would be able, after training, to hold full open mainstream employment, whether he/she might require on- going support through periodical visits from Job Coaches or even a higher degree of permanent support within a more supervised work environment. Whatever the starting point, we aim to provide one-to-one job training so as to move each one along a life-long continuum to a place where less intervention by support staff is required. We are determined to offer everyone all possible opportunities to live a full and dignified life. This week I met a number of participants from the 'Job Bridge' scheme. Six young job seekers commenced their program early in 2013. They first received training in social, independent living and employability skills and then experienced some 'job tasters'. They have now progressed into work experience placements financed by the European Social Fund 'Bridging the Gap' ESF scheme. So far, so good. The challenge ahead for these Job Bridge graduates will be job retention. Government's plans must include the accredited training of Job Coaches and the required ongoing funding of the Job Coaches salaries. Creating tailor-made programs will help persons with disabilities get into the labour market by providing effective training and support programs, creating and delivering more effective training and support programs. We also plan to target the surrounding environment through direct awareness-raising campaigns for employers and their Human Resource Managers as well as for fellow employees. This is in line with Government's promise of building an inclusive society and supporting all those who are looking to find employment. A culture of respect Ministerial work entails that I come across a lot of positive and warm stories that rarely grab headlines but which inspire many. Stories of teachers who go way beyond their call of duty, of parents and students who help out the school's community, over and above what is expected of them and of heads of schools and principals who do their jobs with passion, love and dedication. It is very disappointing, then, when we hear of stories of arrogance, bullying and lack of respect towards one another. It is wrong when students are arrogant towards their teacher or LSA, it is wrong when parents act arrogantly towards their child's teacher and it is wrong when teachers act similarly towards parents. The Ministry will take every necessary step to make sure those who feel above the law are told clearly that they are not. Respect is the key issue here and while education is always the answer to deal with such behaviour, law enforcement must also address these issues to make sure that everyone is accountable to their behaviour, especially in schools. Lastly, I wanted to share a poem 'Lies' by the Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko and dedicate to all of us in education. Lying to the young is wrong. Proving to them that lies are true is wrong. Telling them that God's in his heaven and all's well with the world is wrong. They know what you mean. They are people too. Tell them the difficulties can't be counted, and let them see not only what will be but see with clarity these present times. Say obstacles exist they must encounter, sorrow comes, hardship happens. The hell with it. Who never knew the price of happiness will not be happy. Forgive no error you recognize, it will repeat itself, a hundredfold and afterward our pupils will not forgive in us what we forgave. Evarist Bartolo is Minister for Education We aim to provide one-to- one job training so as to move each one along a life-long continuum to a place where less intervention by support staff is required