EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE TO THE DISABLED

Mr S. Chandra Das asked the Minister for Labour and Second Minister for Law and Home Affairs whether the Ministry of Labour offers assistance for disabled people who seek employment and, if so, what assistance is given and what are the major problems facing employment prospects for the disabled.

Prof. S. Jayakumar: The Ministry of Labour, through its Employment Service Department, provides assistance to disabled persons who seek employment if they are Singapore citizens or permanent residents. Since 1977, the Department has found employment for a total of 667 disabled persons.

Besides direct placement services, the Department also administers a Disablement Resettlement Scheme to assist disabled persons to be gainfully employed. Under this Scheme, the Department arranges job training for disabled persons and subsequent employment. Since 1977, 212 disabled persons had completed their training under this Scheme and were found employment.

From the experiences of the Department, the major problems facing employment prospects for the disabled are the same as that for handicapped persons. Employers are reluctant to employ them for fear that being less mobile and dexterous, their work would be affected. However, job placement officers from the Vocational Assessment and Placement Centre of the Singapore Council of Social Service, Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Labour are continually exploring job opportunities for the disabled.