The Social Welfare Bureau’s (IAS) Social Solidarity Department Chief Choi Sio Un said yesterday that his bureau has launched three social enterprise funding programmes, adding that among Macau’s four subsidised or formerly funded social enterprises, two companies, which Fuhong Society of Macau has been operating for many years, have provided jobs for more than 50 disabled residents, more than half of whom have meanwhile entered the open job market.
Choi stressed: “The programmes worked out well.”
Choi made the remarks while attending a phone-in programme by public broadcaster TDM’s Chinese-language radio station, Ou Mun Tin Toi, which was also addressed by Yu Ka Wai, a senior official of the bureau’s Rehabilitation Service Division’s Rehabilitation Service Support Unit, Jennifer Chao Wai I, director of the Fu Hong Society of Macau, and Lee Hou Sun, Caritas Macau chief development officer.
According to Choi, the bureau will set up two vocational rehabilitation facilities in Toi San and Ilha Verde districts this or next year. He pointed out that by then 160 additional service places will be available, raising the number of vocational rehabilitation facilities in Macau to nine that are providing vocational support services for people with disabilities.
The programme, which awards prizes to excellent employees with disabilities and to employers who recognise the talent of their staff with disabilities, co-organised by the Social Welfare Bureau and the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL), has witnessed a “steady increase” in the number of enterprises participating in the scheme over the years, Yu said. He added: “This has not only had a positive impact on their corporate image but also helped the community understand the working abilities of people with disabilities and provide them with more job opportunities.”
Chao pointed out that her association has set up a number of commercial laundries and second-hand markets under the IAS funding schemes, and “they are currently operating smoothly”.
In the past, the association had faced opposition from the public for setting up mental rehabilitation centres in the community, Chao said, adding she believed that this was caused by the lack of understanding of the mentally disabled, and therefore, her association has integrated people with disabilities into the community through social enterprise startsups and vocational training in industries such as catering and car washing.
Public awareness of people with disabilities may also make other employers aware of the issue, thus motivating them to employ people with disabilities, Chao said.
Lee noted that Caritas has also received many applications to work in social enterprises under the organisation from senior citizens who have rich working experience and are willing to learn.
The Social Welfare Bureau’s (IAS) Rehabilitation Service Division’s Rehabilitation Service Support Unit senior official Yu Ka Wai (from front to back) and Social Solidarity Department Chief Choi Sio Un, as well as Fu Hong Society of Macau Director Jennifer Chao Wai I and Caritas Macau Chief Development Officer Lee Hou Sun look on during yesterday’s phone-in programme hosted by Ou Mun Tin Toi, public broadcaster TDM’s Chinese-language radio station.
– Photo courtesy of TDM
