A Model Employer in Sri Lanka: International Labor Organization

International Labor Organization

MDG # 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

This story from the International Labor Organization illustrates a private company’s perspective on hiring people with disabilities.  CEI Plastics has learned that in exchange for a few small modifications, they are able to find good employees who fit in well at the company.  A success for everyone involved!

CEI Plastics is a private company that manufactures plastic molded products for industry. The factory is located about 30 kilometers outside Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Forty people with disabilities are employed at CEI, including both men and women who have visual, hearing, mobility and intellectual disabilities.

Workers with disabilities are not confined to a particular section or activity, but are employed in the workshop, stores, injection-molding packing line and blow-molding packaging section, and as general workers who are required to move around among different tasks in the factory.

Simple adaptations have been made in some situations; for example, a young man who uses a wheelchair and is skilled in motor winding is employed in the workshop, which is located on the ground floor. The only adaptations required were the construction of ramps to replace a few steps and the widening of the toilet room door.

Other people with disabilities, all women, worked in the factory at some time but left after marrying. Some of them started self-employment activities in their homes. One woman began making soap, for instance, and CEI purchases all its soap from her.

In the experience of CEI Manager Anver Dole, disabled workers are eager to learn, easy to teach and generally more conscientious than their non-disabled peers. The Employers’ Network on Disability uses CEI Plastics as a role model to demonstrate that the productivity of people with disabilities is equal to, and sometimes exceeds, that of other employees. Mr. Dole notes that a\Absenteeism, costs and other problems have never been an issue in the employment of disabled workers.  “Their production is often way above the average. CEI is looking to hire more people with disabilities, adds Mr. Dole.

Contact:

International Labour Organization Headquarters
4, route des Morillons CH-1211
Geneva 22 Switzerland 
Tel: 41.22.799.6111 
Fax: 41.22.798.8685 
E-mail: ilo@ilo.org
Web: www.ilo.org