Israel Institute for Occupational Safety and Hygiene
8
The integration of disabled people in the labor market is a social and economic value that
simultaneously contributes to the disabled person and to the employer.
Unfortunately, there still are different obstacles that make it difficult for disabled people to
be included in workplaces and therefore, every one of us must continue acting in order to
remove these obstacles, so that disabled people will be able to be part of the workplace – in
productive, safe and healthy work.
In the last years we see a trend of enhancing awareness of the mutually growing benefits
gained when disabled people are introduced in workplaces in various jobs, roles, occupations
and professions. Due to this fact, the need to develop access and tools that may assist their
better and safer absorption in the workplaces is growing. In order to enhance this important
integration and assist the removal of obstacles that clouded the possibility of their integration
at work, the following steps were taken, among other things:
Following the recommendation of a public committee chaired by Judge Laron of blessed
memory, the amendment # 109 to the national insurance law became effective on the
1.8.09, and removed a significant obstacle for the integration of disabled people in the
labor market. This amendment created a new situation. Whereas in the past - a disabled
individual who received the disability pension would have lost it if he was working and
earning a few NIS beyond his pension, now, after the amendment became valid, he may
continue receiving his pension when his entire income both from the pension and from his
work is higher than the disability pension alone.
The center for the integration of people with disabilities in the labor market in the Ministry
of Economy updated and facilitated the criteria enabling the government assistance in
funding and in multi-disciplinary modification of the workplace environment to fit the
disabled employees.
To sum up, in light of the valuable social and economic importance of absorbing disabled
people in the workplace, it is recommended for all employers who need employees to act
for the integration of disabled people in their companies.
Sincerely
Hizkiya Israel
Manager of the social insurance department and reciprocal contacts
with the Knesset, the Israel industrialists association, and chairman
of the disability committee of the National Insurance Institute
