Lawmaker calls for enhanced support for employment of people with disabilities

Lawmaker Ho Ion Sang has raised concerns about the ongoing challenges faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) in securing employment, despite various initiatives launched by the government in recent years.

While the government has proactively introduced several measures, such as subsidizing vocational training programs, organizing job-matching sessions, and offering tax incentives for employers, Ho emphasizes that the barriers to successful job market integration persist due to physical constraints and persistent misconceptions.

In a written interpellation to the government, Ho highlighted that despite efforts like the annual “Outstanding Disabled Employees and Recognized Employers Award Ceremony,” employers still harbor concerns about the capabilities and adaptability of PWDs.

As a result, the willingness to hire them remains low, limiting employment and training opportunities.

To address this, Ho is calling for more targeted vocational training courses that align with the developmental stages and needs of PWDs, along with enhanced career planning support to better integrate individuals with disabilities into the workforce.

Furthermore, Ho has urged the government to provide more resources to employers, encouraging them to offer internships and training programs for PWDs.

According to the lawmaker, this would not only help employers better understand the abilities of disabled workers but also foster a culture of inclusion by facilitating more direct interaction between employees and PWDs.

Ho also pointed to inefficiencies in the current application process for the tax rebate for hiring residents with disabilities, noting that many individuals face difficulties with the paperwork, including the need to submit additional medical certificates.

He called for improvements in the application process, including better inter-departmental cooperation, to streamline the system and increase access to support for PWDs.

Last year, Ho said that although the Health Bureau (SSM) had previously proposed a comprehensive 10-year plan to improve rehabilitation services, Macau has no immediate plans to review the disability legislation.
The SSM’s plan aims to establish public-private partnerships and promote accessibility and equal opportunities in sectors like education, employment, and transportation. While the plan seeks to promote independent living for people with disabilities, the lack of a review since 1999 has raised concerns about the effectiveness of services, said Ho.