Disabled, But Working

Many organisations are working for the rights and development of persons with disabilities. But training, education, development and rights are not enough for the physically or mentally challenged. When they step into a career, they have to step out of their familiar surroundings that are adapted to their situation, and engage with all sorts of people in a workplace that maybe not so disabled-friendly.

Any work environment is tough, particularly in the corporate world where things are always fast-paced and people may not have the time to care about others. So, the long-term survival of disabled employees in this busy world is debatable. The Weekend Independent recently interviewed some persons with disabilities who are currently working in different organisations to learn about their experiences and the challenges they face.     

Naim Hossain, 28, is mentally challenged since birth. In 2012, his school, run by Bangladesh Protibondhi Foundation (BPF), arranged a job for him at Desh TV. Since then, he has been working as an office assistant at the private television station’s Malibagh studio in the capital. “Everyone in the office is very helpful and cooperative. From the very beginning, our managing director informed everyone about my condition and ordered them to cooperate with me. My co-workers taught me everything very nicely, and with much patience. They made me feel like one of them,” he said.

Monirul Islam, 39, another intellectually disabled graduate of a BPF school, is working at Marco Shipping Company-BD since 2014 as an office assistant. “Our managing director ordered everyone at the office on my first day to cooperative with me. But in the beginning, I was bullied a lot and many at the office made fun of me. When our MD got to know about it, he punished those employees by withholding their salary. From then on, he made me his personal office assistant. He made the office staff respect me and now everyone is friendly and nice to me. I enjoy working in this office and I don’t think I will ever be as comfortable somewhere else,” he said.

Mosharrof Hossain’s hand was amputated following an electrical fire at an air-conditioner repairing shop where he was working. “When I used to sit and chat with my friends after the accident, I would tell them I will work again. My friends used to make fun of me saying: ‘Who will give you a job?’ But now, most of those friends are unemployed, while I am a mechanic, trainer and entrepreneur, even with my disability. I took a risk to start my own fridge-repairing shop and became successful,” said Hossain, who is in his thirties.

“When I was selected as one of the master craftsmen to pass on skills to young people as part of a new, structured apprenticeship scheme developed by the ILO with BRAC, UNICEF and the Bangladesh Government, I asked them if I was the right choice for the programme. They said I was more than the right choice, and because of that, now I am a respected person in my locality. I train other workers, and also run my own business. Due to the motivation, encouragement and respect of others, I don’t feel like a disabled person anymore,” he added.

Anil Bhowmik, 65, is working as chief engineer at Gonoshasthaya Kendra, a non-government organisation. Bhowmik lost his walking ability due to some spinal injuries while he was studying engineering at Rajshahi University. “With my disability, I managed to complete my studies and even took training from CRP (Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed). But then it was time to start my career. Having a disabled engineer in any organisation is a big step, and Gonoshasthaya Kendra took that step. I have been working there for the past 24 years. Alhough in the beginning, my working ability was questioned by my co-workers, I managed to answer them all with my efforts,” he told this correspondent.

“I work in the architectural and designing section of this organisation. For my job, I have to travel all around the country and visit different locations on regular basis. Everywhere I go, I have to move with a wheelchair and everyone always helps me to move smoothly. I am respected and appreciated by all, which encourages me to work harder. My disability has never been an obstacle in my career. Of course, the credit mostly goes to my colleagues and the organisation I work for, because they never let me feel I am less than any other employee,” Bhowmik added.

Jolly Kawser lost her eyesight completely after getting infected with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) right after completing her BBA degree four year ago. Right now, she is working as an office manager in the Department of Human Resource Development at BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association). “I mostly work on the computer in my office. With the help of a special software (JAWS screen reader) for the visually impaired, I can use the computer easily and I can do my job like any other regular worker. My office has made special arrangements just for me. Every single member at my office always takes extra care of me,” said Kawser, who is in her late twenties.

“After joining this office I realised that it is not the condition of the person which makes him or her disabled, it is the attitude of those around them and the surroundings that make them disabled. And thanks to the Almighty, I don’t feel disabled anymore,” she added.

 Shumi Akhtar, 25, who has no hands due to a birth defect, recently joined RSI Apparel in Chittagong as a computer operator. She found her new job through a job fair arranged by Bangladesh Business and Disability Network (BBDN). “I am very happy with my work and I am trying to perform my duties to the best of my abilities. My office environment is very friendly and everyone is very cooperative, and that is why I love going to office and enjoy my work,” she said.

Finding a workplace suitable for persons with disabilities is even harder than coping with the work itself for those who are physically or mentally challenged. Not every organisation will take on a disabled employee, and even if one does, it needs to create a   congenial work environment. Most institutions and training centres for persons with disabilities now have a job-finding department. Besides, there are some organisations that are working to find suitable work placements for disabled persons. Bangladesh Business and Disability Network (BBDN), a voluntary group of representatives from business, non-government and disabled people’s organisations, and development partners, is one of them. BBDN is a unique network of employers and employees’ associations with the purpose of creating a more inclusive workforce in Bangladesh. It operates under the Bangladesh Employers' Federation (BEF) with support from ILO.

“BBDN is a network that connects disabled persons seeking jobs with organisations that are willing to create a disabled-friendly work environment. To serve this purpose, we are conducting job fairs in different districts,” said Imranur Rahman, project coordinator of BEF and BBDN.

“Some 151 persons with disabilities successfully found employment at a recent job fair held in Dhaka, while 40 others got jobs from our Chittagong job fair. Over 40 organisations participated at the fairs. We ensure all the companies that offer jobs can provide disabled employees with the appropriate environment they need,” Rahman said.

“Different organisations educate and train persons with disabilities, but they are not able to find a proper job environment or have suitable careers. That is way a network like ours is very much important. Disabled people cannot just work anywhere; they need a very cooperative and inclusive organisation where disabled people can work with dignity and respect,” he added.

Murteza Rafi Khan, co-chairman of executive committee of BBDN, said: “Our vision is to create a more disability inclusive workforce, which we believe will lead to a more inclusive society in Bangladesh. When our project got such a huge response, I felt our country is really blessed to have so many organisations that are willing to employ disabled people and create a disabled-friendly workplace. Right now, almost 129 organisations that are ready to employ the disabled are enlisted with BBDN, and 191 disabled persons have already got employment. We need more organisations like those, and of course, more disabled persons who are willing to overcome their disabilities and become a part of forming a stronger workforce. We need more such initiatives, so no one is left behind due to disability.”

Photos: Courtesy.

Disabled, But Working

Many organisations are working for the rights and development of persons with disabilities. But training, education, development and rights are not enough for the physically or mentally challenged. When they step into a career, they have to step out of their familiar surroundings that are adapted to their situation, and engage with all sorts of people in a workplace that maybe not so disabled-friendly. Any work environment is tough, particularly in the corporate world where things are always fast-paced and people may not have the time to care about others. So, the long-term survival of disabled employees in this busy world is debatable. The Weekend Independent recently interviewed some persons with disabilities who are currently working in different organisations to learn about their experiences and the challenges they face. Naim Hossain, 28, is mentally challenged since birth. In 2012, his school, run by Bangladesh Protibondhi Foundation (BPF), arranged a job for him at Desh TV. Since then, he has been working as an office assistant at the private television stations Malibagh studio in the capital. Everyone in the office is very helpful and cooperative. From the very beginning, our managing director informed everyone about my condition and ordered them to cooperate with me. My co-workers taught me everything very nicely, and with much patience. They made me feel like one of them, he said. Monirul Islam, 39, another intellectually disabled graduate of a BPF school, is working at Marco Shipping Company-BD since 2014 as an office assistant. Our managing director ordered everyone at the office on my first day to cooperative with me. But in the beginning, I was bullied a lot and many at the office made fun of me. When our MD got to know about it, he punished those employees by withholding their salary. From then on, he made me his personal office assistant. He made the office staff respect me and now everyone is friendly and nice to me. I enjoy working in this office and I dont think I will ever be as comfortable somewhere else, he said. Mosharrof Hossains hand was amputated following an electrical fire at an air-conditioner repairing shop where he was working. When I used to sit and chat with my friends after the accident, I would tell them I will work again. My friends used to make fun of me saying: Who will give you a job? But now, most of those friends are unemployed, while I am a mechanic, trainer and entrepreneur, even with my disability. I took a risk to start my own fridge-repairing shop and became successful, said Hossain, who is in his thirties. When I was selected as one of the master craftsmen to pass on skills to young people as part of a new, structured apprenticeship scheme developed by the ILO with BRAC, UNICEF and the Bangladesh Government, I asked them if I was the right choice for the programme. They said I was more than the right choice, and because of that, now I am a respected person in my locality. I train other workers, and also run my own business. Due to the motivation, encouragement and respect of others, I dont feel like a disabled person anymore, he added. Anil Bhowmik, 65, is working as chief engineer at Gonoshasthaya Kendra, a non-government organisation. Bhowmik lost his walking ability due to some spinal injuries while he was studying engineering at Rajshahi University. With my disability, I managed to complete my studies and even took training from CRP (Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed). But then it was time to start my career. Having a disabled engineer in any organisation is a big step, and Gonoshasthaya Kendra took that step. I have been working there for the past 24 years. Alhough in the beginning, my working ability was questioned by my co-workers, I managed to answer them all with my efforts, he told this correspondent. I work in the architectural and designing section of this organisation. For my job, I have to travel all around the country and visit different locations on regular basis. Everywhere I go, I have to move with a wheelchair and everyone always helps me to move smoothly. I am respected and appreciated by all, which encourages me to work harder. My disability has never been an obstacle in my career. Of course, the credit mostly goes to my colleagues and the organisation I work for, because they never let me feel I am less than any other employee, Bhowmik added. Jolly Kawser lost her eyesight completely after getting infected with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) right after completing her BBA degree four year ago. Right now, she is working as an office manager in the Department of Human Resource Development at BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association). I mostly work on the computer in my office. With the help of a special software (JAWS screen reader) for the visually impaired, I can use the computer easily and I can do my job like any other regular worker. My office has made special arrangements just for me. Every single member at my office always takes extra care of me, said Kawser, who is in her late twenties. After joining this office I realised that it is not the condition of the person which makes him or her disabled, it is the attitude of those around them and the surroundings that make them disabled. And thanks to the Almighty, I dont feel disabled anymore, she added. Shumi Akhtar, 25, who has no hands due to a birth defect, recently joined RSI Apparel in Chittagong as a computer operator. She found her new job through a job fair arranged by Bangladesh Business and Disability Network (BBDN). I am very happy with my work and I am trying to perform my duties to the best of my abilities. My office environment is very friendly and everyone is very cooperative, and that is why I love going to office and enjoy my work, she said. Finding a workplace suitable for persons with disabilities is even harder than coping with the work itself for those who are physically or mentally challenged. Not every organisation will take on a disabled employee, and even if one does, it needs to create a congenial work environment. Most institutions and training centres for persons with disabilities now have a job-finding department. Besides, there are some organisations that are working to find suitable work placements for disabled persons. Bangladesh Business and Disability Network (BBDN), a voluntary group of representatives from business, non-government and disabled peoples organisations, and development partners, is one of them. BBDN is a unique network of employers and employees associations with the purpose of creating a more inclusive workforce in Bangladesh. It operates under the Bangladesh Employers Federation (BEF) with support from ILO. BBDN is a network that connects disabled persons seeking jobs with organisations that are willing to create a disabled-friendly work environment. To serve this purpose, we are conducting job fairs in different districts, said Imranur Rahman, project coordinator of BEF and BBDN. Some 151 persons with disabilities successfully found employment at a recent job fair held in Dhaka, while 40 others got jobs from our Chittagong job fair. Over 40 organisations participated at the fairs. We ensure all the companies that offer jobs can provide disabled employees with the appropriate environment they need, Rahman said. Different organisations educate and train persons with disabilities, but they are not able to find a proper job environment or have suitable careers. That is way a network like ours is very much important. Disabled people cannot just work anywhere; they need a very cooperative and inclusive organisation where disabled people can work with dignity and respect, he added. Murteza Rafi Khan, co-chairman of executive committee of BBDN, said: Our vision is to create a more disability inclusive workforce, which we believe will lead to a more inclusive society in Bangladesh. When our project got such a huge response, I felt our country is really blessed to have so many organisations that are willing to employ disabled people and create a disabled-friendly workplace. Right now, almost 129 organisations that are ready to employ the disabled are enlisted with BBDN, and 191 disabled persons have already got employment. We need more organisations like those, and of course, more disabled persons who are willing to overcome their disabilities and become a part of forming a stronger workforce. We need more such initiatives, so no one is left behind due to disability. Photos: Courtesy.