The “Blue Ribbon” award 2010 was launched in Hanoi on September 15 to honour golden hearts for their contributions to employment promotion for the disabled.

The award is designed to recognise employers, organisations and employees with disabilities who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of employment for people with disabilities, according to a press release by the Blue Ribbon Employers Council (BREC) on September 15.

The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in November under the co-sponsorship of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped (VNAH) and BREC.

Speaking at the launch, Phung Quang Hung, Director of the Gender Office for Employment under the VCCI, said the award should be widely publicised in order to increase employers’ awareness about employing people with disabilities and provide a forum on experiences in generating jobs suitable for the disabled.

A senior expert from VNAH, Robert Horvath, expressed the expectation that Vietnam would continue providing opportunities for the disabled to integrate themselves into the community and enjoy a life free from discrimination.

A general census in 2009 showed that Vietnam was home to over 12 million people with disabilities, accounting for 15.5 percent of the national population above five years old.

Of the people with disabilities, many are able to work and contribute to social development but are refused their chances due to a number of barriers, including prejudices against the disabled./.