One of the companies I own manufactures and exports Infectious Substances Packaging www.bio-bottle.com . For many years we used a local "Sheltered Workshop" to handle most of the assembly work - whilst boring and repetitive to the "average" worker, it was well suited to those not quite as fortunate, the Intellectually Handicapped. When they worked on our site, it was apparent how proud they were to be amongst working people, the seriousness in which they took the responsibility of turning up and performing - good stuff. Because they were exempted from a minimum wage, Sheltered Workshops could offer gainful employment performing worthwhile jobs at a pace that suited themselves, outside the pressures of "normal" business. To most, the money was of far less importance than the ability to get into the community, enjoy the companionship of others and the satisfaction that comes from being in the work place. The IHC was the major employer of the intellectually handicapped, and operated many workshops employing just about anyone who needed a job. Unfortunately there were trade unionists, left wing activists (think Sue Bradford, then Green MP) who viewed the process as "Systemic Oppressions", exploitation of the disabled. in 2007 The Labour Govt repealed the Disabled Persons Employment Promotion Act which had historically allowed the Intellectually Handicapped to be paid less than minimum wage. Unfortunately, and with the benefit of hindsight, in direct contravention of the best interests of those they were supposed to represent, the IHC supported this move, and quickly shut down over 75 of the "workshops" that it operated, thereby casting their charges out of employment. So, seemingly betrayed by the IHC, combined with the idealistic and selfish actions of the activists and bureaucrats deprived hundreds of intellectually disabled the benefits of working, the pride in performing a worthwhile job within the community and the camaraderie of their peers, instead consigning them sitting at home, apparently unemployable and worthless in the "real world" Unfortunately, the social experiment that failed the Intellectually Handicapped so badly has never been addressed, and the travesty remains. That being the case, we have not enjoyed the benefits of providing meaningful work to those who really appreciated it for a number of years, and we're all the worse for it. Thanks Sue!
Steve
2/5/2016 05:49:25 pm
Good on you gives the intellectually disabled ( the correct term ) a sense of purpose too Comments are closed.
|
Don MalcolmA perfect day involves being on my Harley with a long ride ahead.
|