By Arwa al-Wegayyan

KUWAIT, Aug 27 (KUNA) -- Kuwaiti businesses, factories, and companies ought to employ people with special needs in accordance with law no 49 for the year 1996, an activist for the rights of the handicapped told KUNA on Wednesday.

Fawaz al-Hasban said the law stipulates that any business employing at least 50 Kuwaiti workers should employ at least two percent of its workplace from among the ranks of people with special needs.

Any business that does not honor the terms of the law protecting the rights of the handicapped to get work in the job market would be subjected to punitive measures, among that a KD 500 fine, said the activist.

While he came out strongly for having government programs aimed at training and equipping people with special needs to qualify them to enter the job market with confidence, he bemoaned the fact that businesses were not doing anything in that regard, except to give lip service to these programs.

He applauded the Saudi approach to training the handicapped saying that the latter were entrusted with the sensitive task of preparing the cover that drapes the holy Kaaba, whereas in Kuwait people with special needs were not even entrusted to work in easily manageable jobs as those found in the paper and plastic factories.

He appealed to all businesses, factories, and companies to encourage the employment of the handicapped by making them feel welcome and useful.

© Copyright Kuwait News Agency 2008.

 

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