Financial support for hiring employees with disabilities, offering a maximum subsidy of €32,000 per individual employee
The Fund for the Employment of Disabled Persons in Lombardy has surpassed €80 million this year, indicating a significant amount of fines collected from companies that have not hired disabled workers. This figure suggests a high number of non-compliant companies in the region.
The regional fund, known as the Fund for the Employment of Disabled Persons, collects fines and exemption contributions from companies that fail to meet the hiring quotas for disabled workers. Each day of non-compliance results in a fine of €196.05.
The call for proposals from Regione and Unioncamere Lombardia, aimed at fostering inclusive employment, has been extended until December 19th. This initiative is not just a resource provider, but an initiative aimed at fostering a cultural shift in businesses' attitudes towards hiring disabled workers.
The philosophy of the call for proposals is that people should be valued, not just welcomed, in the labor market integration process. The approach for the call was agreed upon with associations, employer and trade union representatives, as outlined in Law 68/99.
Simona Tironi, the regional assessor for Work and Education, explains that the call aims to shift businesses' mindset towards recognizing the value of hiring disabled workers. The call for proposals also aims to bring about a change in mindset within the community regarding the hiring of disabled workers.
Regione Lombardia and Unioncamere Lombardia have implemented various measures to foster inclusive employment for disabled workers. These include providing incentives and support to employers who hire persons with disabilities, promoting awareness campaigns to sensitize businesses about the value of diversity and inclusion, and facilitating training programs aimed at both employers and disabled individuals to improve skills and workplace integration. They often collaborate with social cooperatives and specialized agencies to create tailored employment opportunities and support services.
Despite these efforts, it appears that many companies in Lombardy are choosing to pay fines rather than hire employees from protected categories. This raises concerns over the need for stricter enforcement of regulations to encourage companies to hire disabled workers and promote inclusivity in the workplace.
The Fund for the Employment of Disabled Persons in Lombardy, besides collecting fines, is also extending a call for proposals to foster inclusive education and business practices, aimed at shifting attitudes towards hiring disabled workers and promoting diversity and inclusion. Despite such initiatives, it seems that some companies prefer to finance non-compliance, indicating a need for stricter finance-based penalties to encourage businesses to invest in education and employ disabled workers, thereby fostering a more inclusive business environment.
