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LOOKING FOR “SPECIAL” JOBS

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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.