PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS (Training and employment)

Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Social Affairs (a) whether adequate facilities exist for physically handicapped persons to receive such training as will fit them for some type of employment; (b) what help is given to such persons towards obtaining employment; and (c) if he will consider introducing the necessary legislation to provide employment opportunities for physically handicapped persons who have received appropriate training.

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government has a scheme to assist persons who become disabled through accident or disease. This scheme, which is administered by the Ministry of Labour, provides training for disabled persons in order to enable them to regain their economic independence. Training is normally given for a period of six months initially, and this may be extended for a further three months. A monthly subsistence allowance of $30 to $50 is payable to each trainee. Tuition fees and cost of materials are provided, where necessary. In 1970, 31 disabled persons benefited from this scheme.

Many voluntary organisations are engaged in welfare work among the physically handicapped groups, such as the blind, the deaf, the spastic, the paraplegics, and so on. The services they provide are mainly educational, although some of these organisations also have vocational training facilities for those physically handicapped persons who are in the employable age group. These organisations run training centres and sheltered workshops. However, these training centres and workshops are still in the process of development and consequently the number of physically handicapped persons they can cope with is limited. In 1970, approximately 950 physically handicapped children and 100 adults received special education and training at some 15 schools, training centres and sheltered workshops. The voluntary organisations are doing a good job in this field.

It is difficult to say whether the existing training facilities are adequate or otherwise, as statistics are still being compiled on the number of physically handicapped persons who require such training. The Social Welfare Department has set up a Rehabilitation Unit to liaise with the voluntary organisations, to help in the compilation of such statistics, and to consider the need for expanding existing training facilities. The unit is in the process of compiling a central register of handicapped persons in order to obtain relevant data for planning purposes.

The Rehabilitation Unit of the Social Welfare Department is presently exploring ways and means by which physically handicapped persons could be rehabilitated. Every encouragement and assistance is being given by the Department to voluntary organisations to enable them to expand their training facilities. In 1970, a sum of $622,057 was expended in assisting voluntary welfare organisations. This sum comprised $341,457 in the form of grants and $280,600 in the form of salaries for 32 teachers and nine instructors in voluntary institutions catering for handicapped groups. The unit is also introducing an employment placement service for physically handicapped persons.

As to the second part of the question, Mr Speaker, Sir, a number of Government departments and voluntary welfare organisations are doing whatever they can to help physically handicapped persons find suitable employment. However, their efforts in this direction have not been altogether successful. There are a number of reasons for this, one of which is the prejudice among many employers who, for one reason or other, are reluctant to employ physically handicapped persons.

In the course of the next few months I hope to make a series of visits to factories with a view to seeing what opportunities exist and what could further be done to secure employment for handicapped persons in industries.

In answer to the last part of the question, Sir, it is not possible to say at this stage whether the Government will consider introducing legislation to provide for the compulsory employment of physically handicapped persons who have received the appropriate training. Once we know the extent of this problem, and if it is found that, on a voluntary basis, it cannot be resolved, legislation may be considered, as has been introduced in many countries. It is hoped, however, that even without compulsion employers will themselves offer employment opportunities to the less fortunate among us.

Inche Abdul Aziz Karim (Kallang): Sir, in view of the fact that about 800 industrial workers annually become disabled because of industrial injuries will the Minister for Social Affairs consider expanding the rehabilitation centres for such persons and, when it is completed, transfer such responsibilities to the Ministry of Labour?

Inche Othman Wok: Sir, as I have said at the beginning of my answer, this comes under the portfolio of my colleague, the Minister for Labour. Perhaps he can explain to the Member.

Mr Speaker: Mr Rajaratnam, would you like to explain?

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour (Mr S. Rajaratnam): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not aware of what the question is!

Inche Abdul Aziz Karim: In view of the fact that about 800 industrial workers have become disabled because of industrial injuries, will the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour consider expanding the rehabilitation centres for such persons with a view to obtaining employment for them?

Mr Rajaratnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, we are prepared to consider anything, but I cannot tell the Member at the moment what the result will be.