NCPEDP’s 1999 Research Study on Employment Practices

Introduction

Even though disabled people constitute a significant 6 percent of our population, yet their basic needs for social security, individual dignity and meaningful employment remain unmet, their lives mired in vicious patterns of helpless cynicism, political inertia and poor social innovations that are no antidote to any long term solutions. The Disability Act 1995 provides for 3 percent reservation in all categories of jobs in the government sector. Though it was notified more than three years ago, its adaptation and implementation has left much to be desired.

• Focus Areas: Policy, practice, and human rights, with a special emphasis on disability rights and inclusion.
• Goal: To develop future leaders committed to advocacy and creating inclusive environments.
• Target Audience: Youth with and without disabilities interested in disability rights.

Role of the Corporate Sector

People with disabilities are vulnerable to social devaluation and negatives identities. To truly effect a change in this we need to enhance their capabilities since social value is usually accorded to people who are perceived to be competent and skilled. Every little effort can make an enormous difference, hope can overcome cynicism and tenacity can prevail over material if citizens of a society can harness the most powerful energy in the world — human talent — to the task of adapting to the demands of the 21st century. This is where the corporate sector can play a crucial role. With their vast employment generating potential and strong fiscal power, they need to go beyond mere legal compliance. The corporates have to be seen to practice a district social responsibility, transcending purely business concerns and be inspired by social sensitivity, awareness, conscience and compassion. In today’s consumerist culture, it is possible only when the focus shifts to a mutually beneficial enterprise rather than mere charity.

Role of NCPEDP

NCPEDP is a non-profit voluntary organisation working as an interface between the government industry, NGOs, voluntary sector and international agencies towards the promotion of better employment opportunities for people with disabilities. At the core of NCPEDP’s work lies the belief that no economic rehabilitation can be meaningful without appropriate vocational training, which would necessarily include identifying appropriate trades and vocation in which the disabled may be trained and placed. NCPEDP aims to promote interaction between the industry and NGOs facilitate training and placement while the industry helps NGOs with appropriate job identification and management support for the requisite training.

Objectives of the corporate research study

The immediate impetus for this study was the harsh fact that about 70 million people of the country are affected by disability and the ugly truth that only a miniscule number of about one lakh people have succeeded in getting regular employment in the last 40 odd years! The main objective of the research study was to reflect on the employment practices of the corporate sector (both public and private) with disabilities. Other important objectives are listed below:

• To review the current employment scenario in the corporate sector in the context of the Disability Act, which was passed in December 1995 and reserves 3 percent of all categories of jobs for disabled people in the public sector, incentives (yet to be defined though!) are provided to those companies who ensure that at least 5 percent of their workforce is composed of persons with disabilities (Clause 4).
• To identify those companies out of India’s top 100, who have exhibited civic/social responsibility versus those who are lacking in this respect.
• To explore the areas of differences in employment practices of public sector and private sector.

Business India Super 100

The Super 100 ranking of the corporate sector by Business India reflects the changing trends of industrial growth in a post -liberalised India. The three broad groups included in the corporate sector consist of the public sector, the private sector and multinationals.

Research questionnaire

The questionnaire had four structured questions to facilitate easy answering. It was couriered to all the 100 companies. The questionnaire sought information on the total number of employees in the company, the number of employees with disabilities (if any) and the type of impairment, mental impairment and any other. If the company responded under any other column, it was asked to specify the type of impairment/s that it was listing.