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GORONTALO — Access to employment for persons with disabilities has once again drawn the attention of the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) in Gorontalo Province.

Through a Panel Discussion Forum on Accelerating Employment Disability Service Units (ULD), APINDO is encouraging the government and business community to strengthen collaboration so that employment opportunities for persons with disabilities can be further expanded.

Chairman of the Public Relations Division of the APINDO Provincial Leadership Council (DPP) of Gorontalo, Andikha Dami Ma'ruf, said employment opportunities for persons with disabilities already have a legal basis under Law No. 8 of 2016 on Persons with Disabilities.

He explained that Article 45 provides persons with disabilities with equal rights to obtain employment offered by the central government, local governments, and private-sector entities without discrimination.

Meanwhile, Article 53 stipulates that the government, local governments, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and regionally owned enterprises (ROEs) are required to employ at least 2 percent of persons with disabilities among their employees or workers. For the private sector, the minimum requirement is 1 percent.

“The legal basis is already clear. Therefore, APINDO will continue to encourage companies to make providing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities part of the business community’s commitment,” Andikha said on the sidelines of the event.

According to Andikha, strengthening Employment Disability Service Units is not limited to opening job vacancies. The business community can also contribute by mapping workforce requirements, providing training, offering internship programs, implementing inclusive recruitment, and creating a supportive working environment for employees with disabilities.

This view is in line with the position of the Chairwoman of the APINDO Provincial Leadership Council of Gorontalo, Dra. Marhani Usman, SH. Currently in Jakarta, Marhani, who is popularly known as Ibu Ani, said collaboration between the government and private-sector employers is key to expanding employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

“The government and business community need to work together to ensure that persons with disabilities have a real place in the labor market. This should not be limited to recruitment, but should also cover training and career sustainability,” Marhani said by phone.

Marhani said the presence of Employment Disability Service Units could serve as a bridge connecting companies’ workforce needs with the potential and capabilities of persons with disabilities.

The discussion forum was officially opened by Gorontalo Governor Idah Sayidah and attended by various stakeholders, including representatives of district and municipal government agencies, business organizations, and persons with disabilities from across Gorontalo Province.

Deputy Chairman of the APINDO Provincial Leadership Council of Gorontalo, Umar Rahim, SE, also attended the event.

Andikha, who previously served as a member of the management of the Gorontalo Provincial Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) for the 2020–2025 term, emphasized that APINDO would continue encouraging the business community to uphold the rights and employment opportunities of persons with disabilities.

With stronger coordination between the government and business community, the acceleration of Employment Disability Service Units is expected to expand access to employment for persons with disabilities while promoting the development of a more inclusive labor market in Gorontalo Province.

Source: Gorontalo Post