The Malta Chamber for SMEs said it supported all calls and initiatives towards social integration of persons with disability, but lamented the lack of consultation.

A dormant legislation was recently kick-started to ensure that two per cent of employees in companies with at least 20 workers are persons with disability for businesses.

Data made available during an MCESD meeting shows that the private sector is employing over 350 registered disabled persons.

The GRTU said it believed the private sector is showing its willingness to support this initiative not just because it is legally obliged to do so but because it also values its return.

There are, in fact, 700 enterprises that even though not obliged by law, still employ people with disability.

"The employment of persons with disability should not be seen as a mere statistical exercise or push employers into an easy way out of paying a contribution instead. It should be a hand-in-hand approach with employers to look into the needs of the specific business operation and how those persons with disability who are looking at participating in the labour market are matched through a process."

Employing a person with disability should never become a burden on the enterprise

However, the GRTU said it was disappointed that the Employment and Training Corporation did not feel the need to consult with social partners before reactivating a law that was introduced in 1969 and never implemented.

The GRTU said it expected the ETC to place greater emphasis on the several incentives already available to positively encourage employment and assist them directly in finding an individual that matched their employment needs.

"Sending out invoices to employers without proper consultation and hand-holding for implementation would only result in counter-productive exercise to the message of social inclusion. This would portray the need to integrate persons with disability as a burden or a form of bill whereas the spirit should be one of understanding business needs and matching the capabilities and potential of persons with disability with specific job roles, just as in any other case."

It welcomed the ETC's decision to waive the contributions due by employers should they become compliant with the law.

"Employing a person with disability should never become a burden on the enterprise. The government should do its utmost through a tailor-made approach, hand-holding and the use of support schemes to facilitate the process."