The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, ICT Training & Disability Resource Centre trains persons with diverse disabilities in employability skills. The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon has 680 member companies and 66 member companies in the membership of the Employers’ Network on Disability. An EFC member company which is also a member of the Employers’ Network on Disability recruited a vision impaired person into their work force to promote diversity and inclusion at work place.

 

(Honoured, Deshabandu) Ms. H.K. Manique Gunaratne

In January 2012, Ms. Manique Gunaratne of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon went to Bangkok, Thailand to attend the Inclusive Business Roundtable Talk on Rating System

at APCD Training Building.

The concept of Inclusive Business has been brainstormed by business practitioners and leaders with disabilities. The roles of persons with disabilities in business were identified more clearly from the perspective of customers, employees and entrepreneurs. The inclusive business opportunity to expand market and utilize the potential human resources was highlighted. The key points of successful inclusive business were presented. Through the brainstorming meeting, participants agreed that the Rating System would be needed for Inclusive Business Development.

The Inclusive Business Roundtable Talk on Rating System was organized by the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) and The Nippon Foundation (TNF) Exclusive participants discussed more deeply about Rating System of Inclusive Business. It is expected that the findings from regional perspective will support business to maximize emerging business opportunity.

 

Manique Gunaratne

Skype – manique.g

 

University of Kelaniya conducted a training session for under-graduates with disabilities on employment. MAS Holdings and World University Services of Canada (WUSC) made presentations. Ms. Manique Gunaratne of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre conducted the session on “Role of EFC on employment for persons with disabilities”. The programme was held at the English Language Training Unit in December 2017.

Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:

1 Imalka De Silva presenting.

2 Manique Gunaratne presenting.

3 Participants.

4 Dr. Shyamani Hettiarachchi presenting.

 

Manique Gunaratne

Advisory Board – CENWOR Employment for Women with Disabilities Project

CENWOR will be conducting a research on “Employment for women with disabilities”. The UN Women funded research will be very useful to empower women with disabilities in the grassroots level. An Orientation and Training Workshop for Enumerators & Field Research supervisors was held at the CENWOR auditorium in November 2017. Ms. Manique Gunaratne, member of the Advisory Board for the Project conducted the sessions on “Disability etiquettes and Accessible formats”.

 

Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:

1 Manique at the head table with the board members.

2 Manique presenting.

3 Manique presenting.

(Honoured, Deshabandu) Ms. H.K. Manique Gunaratne

Sustainability is the key for global development. The corporate world is no exception, and therefore has further recognized the value of this concept by adopting policies and practices that guarantee and promote sustainability within their respective ventures.  A Sustainable Enterprise is defined as a business that ‘meets the needs of the present world without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs’.

Being a responsible National Employer Organization that constantly works towards achieving the best interests of the Employers whilst taking note of the interests of other stakeholders, The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon decided to theme this year’s Annual Employers’ Symposium on ‘Sustainable Enterprises – Creating Value’.

The Symposium was held in November 2017, at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, with a view to offering the Sri Lankan Corporates the opportunity to find workable solutions in implementing sustainable business practices that would enable them to create value to their businesses through better governance, talent retention, environmentally friendly business practices and successful management of logistics.

The Hon. Minister for Skills Development and Vocational Training was the Chief Guest.  Dr. Raman Ramachandran, Head of BASF for South Asia and Chairman/Managing Director of BASF companies in India, was the Guest of Honour and delivered the keynote address. BASF is the largest chemical producer in the world and Dr. Ramachandran, who holds over 25 years of diversified experience in research, operations, new market development and strategic planning, offered participants insights into developing strategies to meet future business challenges as well as those relating to the world of work.

Ms. Manique Gunaratne spoke on the “Employers’ Network on Disability to make diversity and inclusion at work place”.

The four panels in key areas of enterprise sustainability, comprised of erudite experts from their respective industries were as follows;

• Governance
• Managing Talent
• Green Initiatives
• Supply Chain

The Symposium was an excellent opportunity for participants to share their experience and gain knowledge and insight not only with regard to the emerging trends of sustaining enterprises but was also an excellent networking platform.

 

Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:

1 EFC staff members.

2 Manique with the audience.

3 Manique presenting.

4 EFC staff members.

Manique Gunaratne

FaceTime: 0094779571918

Watch the video clip and read the article on:

https://youtu.be/6qBINLktDnc

http://www.businessanddisability.org/index.php/en/news-and-events/featured-initiatives/538-employers-federation-of-ceylon-improves-vocational-skills-in-ict-of-people-with-disabilities.

 

Manique Gunaratne

WhatsAap: 0094779571918

The “ILO Global Business and Disability Network 4^th annual meeting and “National Business and Disability Networks ways forward for international collaboration” was held at the ILO Head Quarters in Geneva, Switzerland in October 2017. Ms. Manique Gunaratne of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre made a presentation on “Activities of the Employers’ Network on Disability – Sri Lanka” at this event.

 

The ILO (International Labour Organisation) GBDN (Global Business and Disability Network) is a unique employers-led worldwide

Network of multinational companies, national employers’

Organizations, business networks and disabled people

Organizations (DPOs) working in collaboration to promote

The inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workplace.

This year’s annual meeting highlighted the importance of

Digital accessibility for business success, showcase how skills

Gaps can be addressed by promoting disability-inclusive

Practices and provide a rare opportunity to exchange

Experiences and network among disability champions from

The private sector. During the meeting, there was also a

Welcome ceremony for the new members of the network.

There are National Business and Disability Networks (NBDNs) in over twenty countries. Many of these are developing or newly established. The ILO hosted this meeting to bring the networks and other international organizations together for the first time. Through both online and physical participation, NBDNs from all over the world shared their status, challenges and future plans.

 

Together with members of the ILO Global Business and Disability Network (GBDN) and other key stakeholders, the meeting identified key issues to be addressed and points for collaboration. The meeting was particularly focused on supporting newly-established networks in developing countries.

 

Technical sessions covered:

• Understanding the current situation of National and Business and Disability Networks around the world.
• Technical support to national networks: what exists and what is needed in the future.
• Allies and Advocacy: working with other stakeholders and influencing the enabling environment
• Way forward for collaboration between national networks.

 

Picture description for vision impaired persons:

1 Day 1 Manique with the banner.

2 Day 1 conference.

3 Day 1 Manique  and Federica.

4 Day 1 group photograph.

5 Day 1 Manique.

 

6 Day 2 Manique with the participants.

7 Day 2 Manique at conference.

8 Day 2 Manique making presentation.

9 Manique with the ILO flags.

10 GBDN steering committee meeting.

11 Manique at United Nations.

12 United Nations.

Manique Gunaratne

Viber: 0094779571918

The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre conducts “Employer Sensitisation” programmes for companies. Ms. Manique Gunaratne trained the staff members of DIMO (Pvt) Ltd. On “Disability etiquettes” to promote diversity and inclusion of the company.

 

Picture description for vision impaired persons:

1 Manique presenting.

2 Manique with the participants.

Manique Gunaratne

FaceBook – Manique Gunaratne