People with disabilities active for socio-economic activities

Nguyen Duc Lan Chairman of the Management Board and Director of Hanvico Humanitarian JSC at the 20th anniversary of Vietnam Day of Persons with Disabilities (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Nguyen Duc Lan, 54, a person with a physical disability, is running the Hanvico Humanitarian JSC Company, which produces blankets, pillows, bed sheets and mats for military forces done by many people with disabilities.

“I’m happy because my business can help the disadvantaged people, so that they can support their own lives, families, and contribute to society,” Lan told Vietnam News Agency.

Lan, Chairman of the Management Board and Director of Hanvico Humanitarian JSC joined many others people with disabilities to cheer the 20^th anniversary of Vietnam Day of Persons with Disabilities (April 18, 1998-2018) in Hanoi on April 18.

Lan said his company generates billions of Vietnam dongs per year.

Hanoi-based Hanvico Humanitarian JSC is among thousands of businesses run by people with disabilities, and they have been making a significant contribution to the nation’s socio-economic development.

Nguyen Quoc Toan, a paralyzed man from northern Phu Tho province, did not attend school. He studied computer science himself with his able hands.

Toan set up NQT Company which generates around 6-7 billion VND per years. “I hire 10 employees and pay them around 6 million VND per month,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, a woman with a physical disability, from the central province of Quang Nam first ran a motorbike service shop and then turned it into a workshop, equipped with advanced machines and technology. 

Her workshop produces auto spare parts with 50 employees and my company contributes over 2 billion VND per year to the State budget.

An invalid soldier with 81 percent of disablement, Hoang Phi Thuong didn’t give up easily and accept a life relying on the government’s aid.

He set up the Hai Duong-based 27/7 War Invalid Construction, Tourism and Trade Enterprise. In 2017, his company earned 88 billion VND. Currently, it provides 150 full-time and 250 seasonal jobs, with monthly salary ranging between 3.5 – 12 million VND per person. 

“I plan to extend my business in 2018,” he said.

According to Hero of the Army Le Ma Luong, Chairman of the Association of Enterprises of the Vietnam War Invalids and Disabled Persons, there are more than 2,000 businesses run by war invalids and disabled persons across the nation.

Hero of the Army Le Ma Luong, Chairman of the Association of Enterprises of the Vietnam War Invalids and Disabled Persons (first L) (Source: VNA)

Nearly 700 of them are members of his association, and they are operating in all fields.

“Most of them have been joining in charity by providing financial assistance, vocational training and jobs opportunities for their peers because they know more than anyone the difficulties facing people with disabilities,” he said.

“The State and Government have issued numerous documents and policies to support this group. However, they still face numerous challenges in accessing public facilities, services, and technology.”

He said he hopes that with the nation’s socio-economic development, greater efforts jointly made by the government, organizations, and individual will be delivered to support people with disabilities, thus creating a favourable environment for them to work and engage well in communities.

Dang Quynh Mai, Chairperson of the Vietnam Federationon Disability (VFD) suggested the health sector make bigger investment in terms of equipment, facilities, as well as human resources to deliver better services to the group of vulnerable patients.

Dang Quynh Mai, Chairperson of the Vietnam Federation on Disability at the ceremony (Source: VNA)

“The Party and State have built and promulgated many policies enabling organizations and individuals to support people with disabilities in exercising their rights and civic obligations. The issues concerning persons with disabilities are not only the purely social activities but also hold a political meaning,” she said.

Vietnam has nearly eight million people with disabilities.

According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, disabled people have to date operated close to 700 production establishments in Vietnam, creating more than 40,000 jobs with an average monthly income of between 5 and 7 million VND (220 – 308 USD)

This year marks the eighth year since Vietnam implemented the Law on Persons with Disabilities and the fourth year since the country adopted the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Law on Persons with Disabilities says people with disabilities have the right to participate in social activities on an equal basis, and to be provided with healthcare, functional rehabilitation, education, vocational training, employment, legal assistance, access to public facilities, means of transport, information technology and cultural , sports and other services fitting their forms and levels of disablement.

The purpose of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is to promote, protect and ensure equal and full access of people with disabilities to the basic rights and freedoms of all human beings.-VNA