An Employment Aid Programme co-financed by the European Union has been assisting 65 companies by providing €450,000 for the employment of disadvantaged workers or workers with a disability.

Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said said the programme was helping such people integrate in society and gain work experience.

Employers are given a 50% subsidy on the salaries of disadvantaged people they employ. The subsidy for the employment of people with disabilities rises to a maximum of 75%.

Dr Said, who was visiting Casa Arkati, one of the companies in the programme, recalled that in terms of the Budget 2008, employers were also exempt from the payment of the social security contributions of people with disabilities.

The parliamentary secretary also pointed out that 11,645 Maltese had participated in courses funded by the EU between 2004-2006, including courses aimed for persons with disability. A further 200 courses will be held in the coming three years and 20,000 Maltese are expected to attend.