Small progress registered in number of persons with disability employed

The number of persons with disability in employment during last year amounted to 543, information tabled in parliament by Education Minister Evarist Bartolo shows.

Although low, the figure is still an improvement when compared to the 309 persons in employment during 2014, the 147 persons in 2013 and the 127 persons in 2011.

Yet, over 3,000 employable persons with disability remain out of a job.

Budgetary measures were implemented to encourage companies who employ over 20 people to meet the disability employment quota, which is legally enforced.

The chairman of the national disability commission, Oliver Scicluna, told MaltaToday that 40% of eligible Maltese private companies are now meeting the quota.

The Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) told MaltaToday that 342 of the private businesses on the island who employ over 20 people are now meeting the quota. This is a significant increase from August, when a meagre 13% of eligible businesses fulfilled the quota. 

Employers who fail to abide by this quota this year will be fined €1,200 for every disabled person they should be employing. The annual sanction will double to €2,400 next year and is capped at an annual €10,000 per company.  
Tax credits of up to €4,500 were also offered to businesses who employ disabled persons, while employers are now entitled to the reimbursement by government of 50% of their disabled employees’ wage, capped at €5,000.