The government plans to increase the existing 3% job quota for persons with disabilities in the state sector to 4%, Deputy Labour Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe announced yesterday (19).
He made these remarks while attending an awards ceremony held in Colombo to recognize the Employment Promotion Programme for Persons with Disabilities.
The initiative, organized jointly by the Department of Manpower and Employment and the Department of Social Services under the Labour Ministry, receives technical support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
According to official figures, 719 persons with disabilities have so far been employed through the programme, in collaboration with 488 private sector institutions. The programme currently operates across all 25 administrative districts in the country.
Deputy Minister Jayasinghe said the government has already taken a number of policy measures to uplift persons with disabilities and remains committed to ensuring their inclusion in both public and private employment sectors.
Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment Minister Dr. Upali Pannila and several officials were also present at the event. (Newswire)
