Three-year action plan strives to improve employment for disabled

Disabled people take part in a flower arrangement training class at a center for the disabled in Beijing's Tongzhou district. [Photo by Wu Yibin/For China Daily] 

The central government has rolled out a three-year action plan centered on helping disabled people find jobs, pledging to ramp up vocational training measures and set up better job services.

The action plan (2022-24), which was unveiled by the General Office of the State Council earlier this month, pledged to create 1 million jobs for the disabled and improve their ability to find jobs and start businesses.

Key measures include creating jobs for the disabled at government departments, public institutions, State-owned enterprises and private businesses.

The plan is the latest effort to help the country's 85 million disabled achieve their full potential.

Yang Lixiong, a professor of social security studies for the disabled at the Renmin University of China, said it was still difficult for the disabled to find work, and most of the jobs they did find were low-pay and required little expertise.

Citing official figures showing that about 8.61 million had jobs in 2020, and about 85 percent were either working in the agricultural sector, or on flexible payrolls in other sectors, Yang noted that the plan prioritizes the mobilization of assorted sectors in creating jobs for the disabled that offer decent, better-paid employment.

State-owned enterprises were urged to take the lead in helping the disabled find jobs, saying that companies that failed to assume their responsibilities must contribute to a fund that would benefit the disabled.

The plan highlighted the importance of private business, which accounts for 90 percent of companies in China and over 80 percent of urban employment, in job creation and added that the government will encourage leading e-commerce companies and courier services to increase recruitment of disabled workers.

Yang said that another highlight of the plan is that it offers targeted, detailed measures to help the disabled, including those living in rural areas as well as college graduates, enhance their professional skills.

Vocational schools will be encouraged to develop training programs tailored for the disabled, and vocational colleges will receive incentives to expand enrollment.

Those eligible will be offered subsidies and allowances while receiving professional training.

Yang said that a human resources development system featuring special education, rehabilitation services, and professional training and services should be developed.

Professional training should continue even after the disabled find a job, and improved public awareness and stronger legislation are required to phase out job discrimination, he said.