ALOR STAR – The Kedah/Perlis chapter of the Malaysian Association of Hotels has sealed an agreement with the Kedah education department to facilitate the hiring of young disabled school leavers by hotels in the state.
This is believed to be the first such arrangement in the country, where state education authorities provide a list of disabled school leavers to various hotels.
In return, the hoteliers will train the school leavers for a specific period.
Chapter chairman Eugene Alan Dass said that upon completion of the training, those who are physically and mentally challenged may be offered jobs if they can meet the hoteliers’ basic service and job expectations.
Dass, who manages the Fuller Hotel brand in Kedah, said its property in Kulim has hired two disabled workers who will serve in their housekeeping division there.
In view of an acute shortage of workers in the hospitality sector after those who were laid off were reluctant to return to work at such establishments, Dass said that it is good if more employment opportunities are offered to the disabled.
In Kedah, each school has about an average of 30 students who suffer from a form of mental or physical disability.
State education director Rozaini Ahmad, who witnessed the agreement, praised the hoteliers for working with the education authorities to help the disabled.
Rozaini said that such jobs should not be considered as demeaning, as they provide an honest living to the disabled, who can hopefully enjoy a career as reputable hoteliers.
SMK Dato Wan Mohd Saman’s special education specialist teacher Mohd Nazri Zulkeply said that the initiative by the hoteliers would be appreciated by the disabled who are looking for training and employment opportunities.
“Do not underestimate them. They are a disciplined lot and they always come to work on time. We need to motivate them.” – The Vibes, February 17, 2022
