TAIPEI: A long list of new employment rules coming into effect on Saturday will create an additional 4,400 jobs for disabled people, Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) chief Wang Ju-hsuan said yesterday.

From Saturday, a public agency with a work force of 34 or more employees is obliged to have at least 3 percent of the payroll filled by disabled workers, while private organizations or corporations with a work force of 67 or more should have at least 1 percent of the payroll filled by disabled employees.

Wang made her comments yesterday while visiting a Taipei 7-Eleven store to express her gratitude for the franchise's long-term employment of the physically and mentally challenged.

Wang bought a cup of coffee and was served by the store's deputy manager Chen Yi-ju, who has a severe hearing impairment but is able to communicate with customers through lip reading and sign language.

Chen joined the President Chain Store Corp - which operates Taiwan's 7-Eleven stores - as a part-time worker 15 years ago and worked her way up to her current post through what the chain calls dedicated and outstanding service.

Lai Nan-pei, the 7-Eleven chain's deputy general manager, said the company now employs 224 disabled workers. The number is far above the minimum of 60 that would be required under existing law. Twenty-eight work on a full-time basis and they have seniority with the chain averaging 11 years.

Wang noted that the rights of disabled workers are protected by three laws - the Labor Standards Law, the Disabled Employment Protection Act that prescribes the ratio of disabled people in a total work force of public agencies and private corporations, and a provision in the Employment Service Act that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.

Under present regulations, Wang said, local public and private organizations should employ a combined total of 34,000 people with mental or physical disabilities.

"In fact, 50,000 mentally or physically challenged people are employed, indicating that Taiwan has many kind-hearted or conscientious companies that have hired extra disabled workers," Wang said.

For most people, having a job simply means self-recognition, but for the disabled, a job can mean social acceptance, she pointed out.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 07/09/2009 page2)