How Thailand is embracing disabled workers to tap hidden talent pool

Supachai Matsuwannakit, a 26-year-old wheelchair user and Thammasat University computer engineering graduate, recently attended a job fair held especially for people with disabilities.

“I trusted that my work skills matched those of my non-disabled peers,” said Supachai.

Photo: Supachai Matsuwannakit

The Inclusion Job Fair 2024, held by the Social Innovation Foundation and partners including the United Nations Development Program, attracted at least 40 companies. They conducted interviews with 138 physically challenged job applicants, all of whom sailed through the resumé-based screening.

“We enabled each physically challenged applicant to connect with up to 10 employers in a single day. Potential employers, meanwhile, got the rare opportunity to interview over 100 physically challenged job seekers,” said Jinnarat Thiamariya, an adviser to the Social Innovation Foundation.

Job opportunities

Of the more than 2 million people in Thailand who live with disabilities, about 850,000 are of working age, according to official figures. However, more than half of these individuals are jobless.

This high rate of unemployment exists despite the Empowerment of Persons With Disabilities Act, B.E. 2550 (2007), which for the past 17 years has promoted the employment of physically challenged people.

The act and relevant regulations stipulate companies to hire one disabled person for every 100 employees without disabilities. Companies that fail to comply must make financial contributions to a fund aimed at improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

Companies also have the option of helping the disabled by hiring them to work for the public benefit in places such as schools, hospitals and local administrative bodies.

To increase job opportunities for the disabled, the Social Innovation Foundation has collaborated with ThaiHealth and its network to develop the Inclusive Workplaces (IW) Project.

“We reach out to educated disabled persons, train them for job interviews, and offer advice to their employers and co-workers to encourage fruitful employment and good relations,” said Nuttapon Theskayan, a Thai Health Promotion Foundation's executive.

Launched five years ago, the IW project was successful in helping 45 disabled individuals land jobs within its first three years. Of those employed, 34 have remained in their jobs for several years.

The IW Working Centre was also established to groom disabled university graduates for the world of work. To date, 53 graduates have received help from the centre and 42 have gone on to achieve full-time employment.

The centre also works with disability support units at various universities, providing training and skills development for over 100 physically challenged students.

The Inclusion Job Fair 2024 is a part of the IW project.

“Hiring the disabled enhances diversity at workplaces,” noted Niamh Collier-Smith, UNDP’s representative in Thailand.

What disabled graduates say

Supachai, the wheelchair user with a computer engineering degree, hopes to be judged based on his abilities rather than his physical appearance.

He currently works at PTT Global Chemical via an outsourcing company. However, his salary ceiling is affected by his status as a worker under the quota stipulated by the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act. Hence, he is now seeking a full-time position outside of the quota conditions.

Photo: Naruemon Porkanjanawong and Sekthawut Klan-khum

Fellow disabled job applicant Naruemon Porkanjanawong, 25, said she was interested in working in the welfare division of a hospital as she is poised to graduate from Thammasat University’s Faculty of Social Administration.

“I think a job requiring knowledge of Mandarin would also suit me,” said the young woman, who has a physical condition that limits her mobility.

Sekthawut Klan-khum, a 24-year-old graduate from the Thammasat Business School, said he was looking for a job close to the metro system to make commuting easier.

“Outside of the central business districts, the pavements are not good. It wouldn’t be convenient for me to travel around on my own,” he explained.

Napat Wichaidit, representing an employer at the fair and himself a person with mobility challenges, offered encouragement to disabled job applicants. He stressed that physical limitations need not be a barrier to improving their lives. Napat is an accounting officer at hospitality and lifestyle giant Minor International Plc.

What employers say

Krittaya Boonthai, senior education and government relationship management manager at Central Restaurants Group, said his company was not only hiring disabled staff but also empowering them.

“We train them and provide them with a career path. Those who perform strongly are handed the opportunity to become an executive,” he said.

His company has also established a community for disabled staff, providing a space where they can conveniently gather and relax during breaks.

Jarinee Suttabud, senior manager for talent acquisition at Western Digital Storage Technologies (Thailand) Co Ltd, said her company was committed to its Diversity Unity Inclusion policy.

“We believe that people, regardless of their physical conditions, have potential. Fostering diversity, unity, and inclusion leads to continuous and sustainable development,” she said of her company’s philosophy.

Western Digital Storage Technologies has hired 222 disabled individuals.

“Some are engineers while others are lower-level staff,” Jarinee said.

In Thailand, approximately 700,000 people with disabilities have completed primary education, 20,000 have completed junior secondary education, and 3,000 have completed higher secondary education. Only around 500 hold a bachelor’s degree.

IW Project filling the gap

Jinnarat, the Social Innovation Foundation adviser, said that while many companies are interested in hiring disabled persons, some may have concerns because they have never done so before.

“That’s where we step in to help,” she said.

The IW project helps connect employers with disabled job applicants. It also creates on-the-job training opportunities for disabled university students.

“We promoted internships. If our clients do well as interns, there is a good chance of them being hired,” Jinnarat said.

She added that for those who still lacked essential skills, the IW project provides key training in Microsoft Office, AI and other areas.

The project also helps find livelihoods for families of disabled students whose chance of furthering their education is at risk. This support has strengthened relationships within families, as their new livelihoods help to improve support for the life quality of disabled members.