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More employers in Malaysia are recognising the contribution of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the workforce, with a majority saying their performance is on par with other employees
According to Bernama, the Department of Statistics’ (DOSM) 2025 Employment Survey of Persons with Disabilities in Malaysia found that 81% of employers rated the performance of PWD workers as comparable to other workers.
The survey also found that 71.9% of employers acknowledged that PWD employees contribute to workplace productivity and innovation.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the survey involved 1,830 employers nationwide, with nearly 22% currently employing PWD workers.
He added that the findings reflect growing awareness among employers on the importance of workforce diversity.
“This effort not only reflects growing employer awareness on workforce diversity, but is also supported by the achievement of nearly 30% employment among workers with physical disabilities,” he said.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin.
Image via Bernama/Malay Mail
The survey found that among employers who had previously hired PWD workers, nearly 91% employed between one and five workers
Meanwhile, 47.5% said they intended to continue hiring PWD employees in the future.
Among employers currently employing PWD workers, 83.7% have between one and five PWD employees, with elementary occupations making up 31.4% of the roles.
Mohd Uzir said 86.5% of employed PWD workers possessed a PWD card as official verification of disability.
Most employers surveyed also supported stronger efforts to create a more inclusive work environment.
According to the survey, 90.6% supported the introduction of specific guidelines on PWD employment, while 77.3% agreed that training programmes should be tailored according to different disability types.
Image via Berita Harian
However, employers also highlighted several challenges in hiring PWD workers
Among them, 63.3% cited the high cost of making workplaces more disability-friendly, while 78.6% said they faced difficulties finding suitable candidates.
The survey also pointed to a lack of awareness among employers regarding incentives and benefits available for hiring PWD workers.
Mohd Uzir said stronger cooperation between the government, employers, PWD organisations, and other stakeholders is needed to improve inclusive participation in the workforce and support the country’s socio-economic development.
