FCCI vows strong workplace inclusion for persons with disabilities, backs enforcement of job quota

FAISALABAD, Aug 05 (APP): Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh Wednesday said that FCCI was striving hard to promote the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities, pledging full cooperation to facilitate their employment in the private sector and ensure accessible business environments in line with the law.

He was addressing a meeting of the Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, convened to promote effective implementation of the mandatory three percent employment quota for persons with disabilities in private-sector organizations.

He said that FCCI fully recognized the rights of persons with disabilities and it had already taken practical steps to improve accessibility at its premises. He said that FCCI building had an access ramp while additional facilities including support handles in washrooms and a dedicated facilitation desk could also be established to further assist differently-abled visitors and members.

Introducing Faisalabad and the chamber, he said that the city played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s economy and it was widely recognized for its philanthropic spirit. He said that FCCI represented around 22,000 members belonging to 128 industrial, commercial and trade sectors.

He said that FCCI had evolved beyond addressing only business-related issues and it had emerged as a representative institution advocating for welfare and development of the city’s nearly 10 million residents.

Director Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Muzammil Yar, said that Punjab was home to nearly 2.7 million persons with disabilities including about 735,000 individuals who were unable to work due to severity of their disabilities.

He said that Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz had launched “Himmat Card Scheme” to support eligible persons with disabilities while the entire service delivery system had been digitalized to ensure transparency and prevent deserving beneficiaries from being deprived of assistance.

He said that mobility aids including wheelchairs and other assistive devices were being provided to individuals facing mobility challenges. Artificial arms and legs were also being supplied while 176 beneficiaries had already received artificial intelligence-powered prosthetic limbs.

He said that the government planned to significantly expand program during the coming year.

He said that the council had placed the employment records of persons with disabilities in all government departments online to ensure implementation of the three percent quota, and efforts were now focused on encouraging the private sector to fulfill its legal and social responsibilities in this regard.

He stressed that compliance with social standards had also become an important requirement for boosting exports and improving Pakistan’s standing in international markets.

He said that no new building would be allowed to be constructed without incorporating basic accessibility features for persons with disabilities.

He requested the FCCI president to circulate copies of the relevant law among industrial, commercial and business establishments to create great awareness and encourage compliance.

While appreciating the availability of ramps in FCCI building, he suggested that appropriate signage should also be installed for the convenience of deaf and speech-impaired persons.

Later, FCCI Vice President Engineer Asim Munir thanked the participants while President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh presented a commemorative souvenir to Director Muzammil Yar.

Former FCCI President Rana Muhammad Sikandar Azam, Executive Members Mirza Zahid Iqbal and Muhammad Ali, Abdul Rehman, Mohsin Raza, and officials of Social Welfare Department including Khalida Rafiq, Tayyab Bhatti and Rehana Yasmeen also attended the meeting.