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ShareAhmedabad, Ahmedabad: Varun Panchal, 23, works as a liftman in a well-known firm in the city, while 26-year-old Sheetal Patel keys in company details as data entry operator. Both these people are physically challenged. Panchal and Patel are a mirror image of the vast disabled population in the city that is fast finding employment in various firms in the city.
Safal Group, a city-based construction company, has employed over 50 disabled people as liftmen, construction site supervisors, watchmen and technical support supervisors. The starting salary offered to each of the employees working for the post of a liftman and watchman is Rs3,000 per month, whereas for a construction site supervisor, the salary stands at Rs15,000 per month.
"Disabled people have abilities, skills and experience that can immensely benefit businesses. We have made a few adjustments in our policies and on our premises, and added flexibility to work arrangements, and have been able to recruit some really good manpower," said Richard J George, head, post possession services and property care, Safal Infrastructure. The group recently received a national award for having employed the maximum number of disabled people in the city.
'Designmate', a pioneer in the development and production of 3D animated educational videos for K-12 education in science and mathematics in India, has recruited a large number of physically challenged individuals as its workforce under the directive of chief executive KJ Brar. The starting salary for the disabled who join as trainees is Rs4,000 per month and the highest is Rs40,000 for those working as graphic programmers and animators.
"Over 70% of their staff is physically challenged and they get the opportunity to work equally and sustain themselves in the society," said Mansi Jariwala, HR executive. The company has also been presented the Best Employer Award, Best Employer Award Gujarat and Best Corporate Social Responsibility Practice 2007. There is no exact figure for the number of disabled persons employed in various corporate houses in Ahmedabad, but Bhushan Punani, director, Blind People's Association (BPA), said the private sector is putting in genuine efforts to employ them.
"Companies in the city have started recruiting disabled people not out of sympathy, but because they are efficient and competent," said Punani. "There are also government schemes that offer disabled people interview coaching and training on how to conduct oneself while in a workplace. This certainly helps put them on a more equal footing with other potential candidates," he added.
Ajit Taneja, founder, 'Ajeet Soft Toys', has been associated with BPA for over 12 years and has had a constant rotation of at least four disabled people working as tailors or helpers for a starting pay of Rs3,000 per month. "It is not out of sympathy that I have employed the disabled. In fact, they are some of the most skilled and hard working people I have ever come across," Taneja said.
