Dutch govt. makes it easier for disabled people to find a job

The Dutch government is making it easier for employers to hire people with disabilities. On Friday benefits agency UWV launched an online system that puts employers in contact with disabled people looking for work, State Secretary Jetta Klijnsma of Social Affairs and Employment announced, Trouw reports.

In addition to the new staff bank that contains nearly 60 thousand job seekers with an occupational disability, hiring someone from this system also means that a policy covering employers for sick leave pay kicks in. This means that employers can hire someone with an occupational disability with the certainty that they will not be financially disadvantage when that employee falls ill.

Klijnsma calls this policy an important step, because it is important that employers face less risk so that more people can get a permanent contract. According to her, many employers are willing to give people with occupational disabilities a chance, but they see too many obstacles in their way. The government is also dedicated to creating 25 thousand jobs for people with disabilities, on top of the 100 thousand jobs employers promised a few years ago.

"Because people with occupational disabilities do not want pity, they want to participate", Klijnsma said.