PRESS RELEASE

May 19, 2008

Joint U.S.-Vietnamese Support Makes Employment A Reality For Disabled Persons

(Hanoi, May 19)  U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak praised the efforts of businesses and organizations promoting employment of people with disabilities at an awards ceremony on Friday for Vietnam's Blue Ribbon Employers Council (BREC).  BREC is a groundbreaking initiative by a consortium of public and private partners who saw the need to link into Vietnam’s vast untapped labor force – people with disabilities.  "Corporate productivity depends on attracting the best, most capable employees,” said Ambassador Michalak.  “That means both companies and individuals should focus on a person’s ability, his or her talents; disabilities are not the issue."

The Blue Ribbon Employers Council was formed in September of 2007 by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped (VNAH) and with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Council brings together a diverse group of employers and organizations both national and international, to promote employment of people with disabilities in Vietnam, reaching out to potential employees with disabilities and sharing their experience with other businesses to encourage them to diversify their workforce and include the disabled. 

The Blue Ribbon Employers Council is just one part of U.S. Government programs which support people with disabilities in Vietnam. To date, the United States Government has contributed over $43 million in assistance to people with disabilities, including programs which help children with disabilities remain in school, providing alternative livelihoods and specialized medical care to  people with disabilities, making roads, transport and buildings more accessible to Vietnam's disabled and ensuring that the millions of Vietnamese living with disabilities are given equal opportunities to participate in Vietnam's social, cultural and economic life.

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