Gil Bar-Tal: We must allow everyone to integrate equally into the workforce so that everyone can fulfill themselves.

“In the near future, more and more local authorities will be able to implement the model for the adequate integration of people with disabilities in the world of employment,” said Guy Simchi, commissioner in charge of the employment of people with disabilities in the Office of the Chairman of the Histadrut, at a conference for the development of an urban model to promote the employment of people with disabilities, which took place today (Monday) in the Tel Aviv suburb of Rishon Lezion.

During the conference, there were round tables of all the parties concerned with the issue – representatives of the Histadrut, representatives of Rishon Lezion Municipality, representatives of government ministries, and representatives of employers. Together, the teams formulated ways to help implement the model developed at the initiative of the Histadrut for the first time about five years ago. The urban model provides solutions to remove the barriers that people with disabilities face today on the way to their proper integration into the world of employment.

During the conference, Guy Simchi said: “The Histadrut is breaking ground in leading the promotion of the solution to the issue of employment of people with disabilities consisting of pooling of all the parties involved in the field under the inclusion of the local authority. In the future, we will cooperate with other local authorities, who can implement the model and make the connection between a person with a disability and the workplace accessible. I thank the Chairman of the Histadrut, Arnon Bar-David, for his support and personal involvement in promoting the issue. I also thank the Chairman of UCAPSE, attorney Gil Bar-Tal and the mayor of Rishon-Lezion, Raz Kinstilach, for hosting the conference and adopting the model and its implementation. There are approximately 15,000 residents in the city of Rishon Letzion with disabilities of working age. This support will provide a solution for many families facing complex daily life difficulties and employment, and a central solution for implementing a better life.”

Mayor of Rishon Lezion, Raz Kinstlich: “Raising awareness of the rights of people with disabilities is an important moral order. The Rishon Letzion Municipality prioritizes the issue of employment for people with disabilities in the city and has even assigned a municipal standard for this and integrates people and women with disabilities in various positions in the municipality. Everyone benefits from this model of promoting employment for people with disabilities. Not only the job seekers but also the employers. Today, in the changing labor market, employers need more working hands. Above all, we as a society benefit – reducing the social gaps and breaking more and more stereotypes and prejudices.’

The Chairman of the UCAPSE, attorney Gil Bar Tal, said: “Thanks to Guy Simchi’s motivation, a project is emerging that will accompany us for years. Almost every fifth person in Israel is a person with a disability. We must allow everyone to integrate equally into the workforce so that everyone can fulfill themselves and contribute to themselves and the economy. The Histadrut took it upon itself to enter the field and, as a body dealing with workers’ rights, also care for workers with disabilities. A company that knows how to nurture people with disabilities, protect their rights and respect their right to equal and active participation in society in all areas of life will be strong, one that faces challenges is stable, will strengthen the workforce, and make it more productive and efficient.”