Announced the Best Employers Hiring Persons with Disabilities

The Minister of Labor and Pension System, Marko Pavić, emphasized the importance of integrating persons with disabilities into the labor market at the award ceremony for the re-launched “Employer of the Year for Persons with Disabilities” on Wednesday, noting that support worth 77 million kuna was disbursed last year for this purpose.

The award was re-launched after a four-year hiatus, and Pavić highlighted that over 10,000 persons with disabilities are employed in Croatia, and that the Institute for Expertise, Professional Rehabilitation, and Employment of Persons with Disabilities disbursed support exceeding 77 million kuna for their employment last year.

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“We want to fully integrate persons with disabilities into society,” Pavić emphasized, thanking employers who hire such individuals in their workplaces.

“It is gratifying to see employers who strive to integrate persons with disabilities, and their experience shows that these individuals are no less important and can perform jobs in the companies and institutions where they are employed,” he stated.

He emphasized that amendments to the Law on Professional Expertise will come into effect on May 5, allowing significant funds collected from the employment quota to be directed towards the employment of persons with disabilities.

“We will strengthen the centers for professional rehabilitation, which will come under state care starting January 1 next year,” Pavić added, assessing that the Government is moving in the right direction regarding the integration of persons with disabilities into the labor market, although there is always room for improvement.

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The Director of the Institute, Damira Benc, points out that the award serves to raise social awareness to demonstrate that persons with disabilities can be successfully integrated into the working environment, and that employers can create humane working conditions suitable for their abilities and possibilities.

Further Advancement of the System through Centers for Professional Rehabilitation

She also highlighted the importance of the amendments to the law as they will enable further advancement of the professional rehabilitation system, particularly through centers for professional rehabilitation, thus allowing for the long-term inclusion of persons with disabilities in the labor market.

The award “Employer of the Year for Persons with Disabilities” has been re-launched by the Institute in collaboration with the Croatian Employment Service, the Croatian Employers’ Association, the Institute for Labor Market Development, the Moj Posao Portal, and the Community of Associations of Persons with Disabilities of Croatia.

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It was emphasized at the award ceremony that the aim is to highlight employers with positive practices and experiences in hiring persons with disabilities, to influence the raising of awareness and sensitization of the public regarding the employment of persons with disabilities.

The Institute conducted a selection of employers, visited 16 cities, and in 20 organizations that made it to the shortlist for the award in six categories, conducted interviews with employers and employees with disabilities.

The Employer of the Year in the “Best Practice Example” category is Galeb from Omiš, and in the “Public Sector” category, it is Makarski komunalac.

In the “Micro Entrepreneur” category, the award went to Punkt from Pula, and in the “Small Entrepreneur” category, it is Bijela harmonija from Zagreb.

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Parkovi plus from Rijeka was awarded in the “Medium Entrepreneur” category, and Drvna industrija Klana from Klana in the “Large Entrepreneur” category.

Some of the awarded, such as Drvna industrija from Klana, have been employing persons with disabilities for over 30 years, and all express exceptional satisfaction with their work.