LOOKING FOR "SPECIAL" JOBS

A1+
[07:30 pm] 25 November, 2008

Currently, only 8% of handicapped people capable of working in Armenia
are employed.

The first annual "Work places for the handicapped" career fair was
held in Armenia and organized by "UNISON" NGO.

"This is human rights protection. The main issue now is employment
and that is why we decided to organize a career fair because the
handicapped usually don’t have chances to find jobs during the regular
career fairs," said executive director of the "Unison" NGO Armen
Alaverdyan who was, in fact, in a wheelchair. He informed that they
have applied to 90 employers, made a preliminary agreement with 28 of
them, but only 20 companies were participating in today’s career fair.

According to Armen Alaverdyan, before the career fair, head of one
of the casinos wished to participate and even sponsor the event,
but refused after he found out that it was for the handicapped.

"Can’t a strong handicapped who has lost his eye be a good
bodyguard?" asked Armen Alaverdyan.

There are also few organizations which, according to Alaverdyan,
immediately say that the handicapped can’t work and refuse to
cooperate.

Nevertheless, "VivaCell", "HSBC", "Converse Bank", "Coca-Cola" and
other companies offered jobs to the handicapped. The handicapped were
mainly looking for openings for phone operators, computer operators
and other office work.
From: Baghdasarian