KUALA LUMPUR: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has called for more companies to hire persons with disabilities (PwD).

At present, the ministry has helped 1,668 PwD find employment through its Job Coach service.

However, this is far short of its one per cent policy target, the ministry said in a statement.

As of April 30, it said, there were 703,287 active PwD in the country, with the number of employable PwD at 372,164.

"However, the government's one per cent policy target for the employment to have PWDs in their workforce, set since 2010 has not yet been effectively met.

"Therefore, the government greatly needs support from various parties to realise the policies and initiatives aimed at empowering PWD."

As such, to achieve the target, the ministry through the Social Welfare Department, particularly under the services of the Development for Persons with Disabilities Department, provides a Job Coach service offering one-to-one support to PwD employees for a period of three to six months depending on the PwD's level of ability.

"The Job Coach service is part of the Project of Capacity Building on Social Welfare Services for Persons with Disabilities and the Project to Support Participation of Persons with Disabilities Phase 1 and 2 with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)."

Currently, the ministry said, various incentives to employers have been offered to encourage the employment of PwD.

"These include double deductions, including deductions for employing PwD and approved training tax deductions, and single or special deduction for building modifications or necessary support equipment for PwD."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/1056114/govt-calls-more-companies-hire-people-disabilities