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| Sunday, 30 November 2003 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Dec. 3 is International Day of the disabled: Proving their ability by LAKMAL WELABADA "Physical destitution is no longer a barrier for a normal life. If there is a will there is a way; and vice versa if there's a way there's a will. If we find a way to help them they are willing to work; with determination and courage."
This encouraging message is very much in evidence at the CEI, plastic factory in Piliyandala, a company playing a pioneering role in employing the disabled in Sri Lanka. Proving that it's not just a theory they boast of but something very practicable, Priyantha, a young blind man looked up to greet us at the reception of the CEI. Priyantha is a past pupil of the School for the Blind, Ratmalana and a graduate with honours of the Sri Jayawardanapura University who has been working as a telephone operator there for the past one year and three months. "He is a computerised directory. Once told he could remember any telephone number. We just have to tell him the name of the person we want to get at. Within seconds he gets it for us,"says Nishantha Perera, Human Resources Manager of CEI.
Despite everything Priyantha is one of the CEI's five representatives in the national cricket team for the visually handicapped. He has travelled to several countries with the team. CEI has arranged for him to attend a leadership training program in Lahore, Pakistan at the end of this year. Priyantha is the youngest of five brothers. Ironically, he is the only sibling who pursued higher studies. "My mother was heart broken from the time of my birth as she thought I would end up as an orphan. But today she is very happy for me," he said. Priyantha is married six months. His young wife is also another blind graduate from the University of Jayawardanapura. They are looking for a house of their own to start a family. "At present we have 40 disabled persons working in our factory. Out of them 25 visually handicapped persons (either fully or partially blind) are working in the packing section. Out of the 15 physically handicapped working here two work as machine operators, one in the electrical workshop and the other in the stores. One person with a hearing impairment works as a machine operator and a mentally retarded person is in the stores," added Nishantha.
Stepping in to the factory unless told no one would ever guess that anyone had any disability. "They work hard; equally or may be better than normal persons," confirms the Human Resources Manager. "They are smarter than normal persons and give double the productivity," he said. They report to work at 8.00 am and are off at 5.30 pm. Like others they can do over time if they wish to, and get rostered for the night shifts as well. Despite their disability, they all are governed by one law and entitled to the same benefits, allowances and increments as others. And they know that the factory expects them to render an equal service with others. (There's no discrimination nor special treatment for them. And that is the secret the factory management has employed to win their confidence) 'We all are equal. Let's work hard together to meet the target,' the silent voices seem to say. The credit of recognising the 'capability in disability' should go to the CEI Factory Director, Anvar Dole. His 15 years of experience as a voluntary English teacher for the visually handicapped at the School of Blind, Ratmalana through a project of the Lions Club has provoked him to light a candle for those less fortunate. Mr. Dole heads the 'job fair' project for the disabled launched in Sri Lanka by the Employers' Federation of Ceylon in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) last year. Twenty eight top institutions in Sri Lanka including private banks, travel agents and textile businessmen took part in the fair where about 75 disabled flocked, looking for opportunities. Out of them 36 got employment. The ILO has made a video film of the employed disabled of four countries - Cambodia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka. The CEI and Mlesna are the two employers who are featured in this film acknowledging the confidence they have in their employees. "We have a 350 staff strength in our factory. We have employed more than 150 disabled persons over the past 15 years. Out of the 40 handicapped employees here, five are females," says Nishantha, the Human Resources Manager. M. G. Kusumawathie (30) is partially blind. She works at the packing section. "I became partially blind at the age of seven, and entered the School of Blind, Ratmalana. I studied upto O/Levels," she says. Thisara Wijesinghe (21) who is partially handicapped works as a machine operator. I am from Kegalle. I studied up to O/Ls, and then joined the Vocational Training Centre, Seeduwa. I found this job through 'Motivation', an association formed for handicapped like us. When asked whether he has faced any discrimination, Thisara said he has been looked after well by the management and the co-workers at his work place. "But I have encountered discrimination in the outside world. I don't take much notice of them," he smiled innocently. Ujith Manjula (31) became crippled by a fall two years ago. Luckily, he could continue his job as he has been a motor winder. The CEI employed him soon after his misfortune. Though confined to a wheelchair, Ujith is still breadwinner for his family, and lives happily with his wife and five-year-old son. The story of Padmasiri Wijekoon (33) is as inspiring as it is heart rending. "I became blind when I was six years. Both my parents died when I was very small. So I do not know anybody in my family. The doctors say I became blind due to malnutrition. I could remember an aiya (an elder brother whom I assume as my own) handed me over to the School of Blind at the age of eight. And I grew up there and learnt to face life optimistically," he said. Padmasiri has been working in the CEI for the past 11 years. Pasting stickers with different trade names on plastic products is the job assigned to him. Out of his modest earnings he even bought a plot of land and has already built a small house. "The credit for my success should go to the CEI management and my friends who look after me as my own family," he said with a smile. There is so much to say about the handicapped. Most important is that disability is no more a barrier. They are equally skilled, talented and intelligent persons. All they ask is to be treated equally. A special web site was opened last July for the benefit of the disabled in Sri Lanka.Disabled persons can get themselves registered with their bio-data at www.empfed.lk, and also access the list of vacancies offered by top business ventures. Details are available at 'Motivation' at No.5/21. Sulaiman Terrace, Colombo 5. Tel.5378230-3. |
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