Bangladesh's tourism and hospitality sector can offer excellent work prospects for people with neurodevelopmental disabilities, say sector people.
The observation was made at a seminar on ‘Employment for Persons with Neurodevelopment Disabilities in Tourism & Hospitality Sector’ in Dhaka on Sunday.
International Labour Organisation's (ILO) BSEP project in collaboration with the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Skills Council and the PFDA-Vocational Training Center Trust had organised the seminar.
The programme was aimed at creating awareness of the potential to include for people with disabilities in the sector and to increase employment opportunities for them.
“The government is committed to ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities into the workforce. Tourism and hospitality is an important sector and provides a range of excellent work opportunities for those with neurodevelopmental disabilities,” said Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, who attended the seminar as chief guest.
Social Welfare Ministry Secretary Zillar Hossain said: “The business case is well known. Companies should not think that they are simply being charitable. People with disabilities make excellent employees, who are loyal and hard working. They should be given every chance to prove their worth."
“It is important that the private sector becomes more aware of the potential of people with disabilities, how they can recruit them and what type of changes they need to make to their business to accommodate these staff," said Kishore Kumar Singh, chief technical adviser of the ILO’s BSEP project.
“Tourism and hospitality offers excellent opportunities but we should also consider other industries too,” he added.
During the seminar, representatives from the hospitality and tourism sector from both Bangladesh and India provided their insights and experience into how they had successfully employed people with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
