LITTLE PROGRESS IN BUILDING INCLUSIVE WORKPLACES
While businesses such as Omron can receive government subsidies for hiring and training disabled workers, Japan’s progress in creating inclusive workplaces has been slow, said observers.
The private sector, on average, has not reached the target set by the government.
Concerns include uncertainty over what people with disabilities can do, unsuitable facilities for their needs, and hesitancy among the other employees in welcoming them.
Ms Cai Cai, chief of the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Section at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), believes it is essential for business leaders to adopt a mindset shift.
If these individuals are given the right support, they could be just as productive and contribute to society, Ms Cai told CNA’s East Asia Tonight on Tuesday (May 7).
“We have noticed many of them are very talented in areas such as information and communications technology, and art, and they function very well as research managers. So it’s essential to tap into these talents by companies,” she said.
