The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security presented the Outstanding Disability Employer plaque to Charoen Pokphand Foods PLC (CPF) and its 8 subsidiaries in recognition of the group’s current and planned employment of persons with disabilities, to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 2017. 

Mr.Parisothat Punnabhum, CPF's Senior Executive Vice President for human resources, said CPF realized and placed emphasis on promoting self-supporting society. To promote the government’s policy on enhancing the quality of life of persons with disabilities, CPF together with Charoen Pokphand Group have achieved the goal in creating more jobs for the disabled instead of contribution to disability fund, allowing them to stand on their own feet, support their families and lift the quality of life. Ultimately, this is leading to sustainable social development. 

“CPF is proud to have teamed up with public agencies and civil society organizations in supporting persons with disabilities, so that they can support themselves. Several of them have turned to breadwinners, been able to live with dignity and returned benefits to their societies,” Mr. Parisothat said. 

According to Persons with Disabilities Empowerment Act BE.2550, CPF hired 723 persons with disabilities in line with its plan. This helped persons with disabilities to live with dignity, enjoy a better quality of life and support themselves in a sustainable manner. They are turned to the persons who can benefit and improve the condition of their communities. 

The employment of persons of disabilities corresponds with the Persons with Disabilities Empowerment Act BE.2550. CPF supports people in this group in 3 ways: 1) Employ persons with disabilities for its nationwide offices 2) Together with community offices and public organizations for the disabilities, hire the disabled to carry out tasks in their own communities like schools, temples, Tambon health promotion hospitals and local administrative offices. This includes the hiring of a national wheelchair basketball athlete as an employee and extends him the financial support during his training and international tournaments. 3) Employ the disabled under Section 35 by allocating them space to market their products in the company’s factories and offices. 

Meanwhile, CPF has continuously evaluated the plan to ensure fair and equal treatment. Its care is extended to the disabled’s home, to ensure that the persons with disabilities who serve their communities are satisfied with their jobs and enjoy good quality of life. Such practice has earned a good response from temples, schools and community units who recognized the disabled’ role in fulfilling the communities’ goals. 

CPF and its affiliates remain committed to further promote jobs among persons with disabilities, to ensure the sustainable improvement of quality of life.