The Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O’Connor, has announced an agreement between Luxottica and Disability Works Australia Ltd to create more job opportunities for people with disabilities.
During a visit to Luxottica’s headquarters in Sydney Mr. O’Connor said: “This agreement between Luxottica and Disability Works Australia is an excellent example of how employers can take pro-active steps to give people with disabilities a fair go in the open labour market,” Mr O’Connor said.
Disability Works Australia (DWA) will be working closely with Luxottica’s HR department to match the right people with the right jobs.
As people with physical and intellectual disabilities have a diverse range of skills, DWA will be assessing job opportunities at Luxottica’s Australian Head Office, the EyeBiz laboratory, the Distribution Centre and in Luxottica’s retail stores (Sunglass Hut, Bright Eyes Sunglasses, Laubman and Pank, Budget Eyewear and OPSM); in order to recommend their clients whose skill set matches the job requirements.
Showcasing employers like Luxottica, who are leading the way in providing flexible and adaptable work opportunities, will help to overcome prejudices and stereotypes often held by employers
Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education and Child Care and Member for Bennelong, Ms Maxine McKew, welcomed the agreement.
“Showcasing employers like Luxottica, who are leading the way in providing flexible and adaptable work opportunities, will help to overcome prejudices and stereotypes often held by employers,” Ms McKew said.
Mr. O’Connor pointed out that the Government had announced a National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy to identify barriers to employment for people with a disability or mental illness.
“The strategy will provide clear and practical steps that the Rudd Government can put in place to overcome barriers that make it harder for people with disability and mental illness to gain and keep work.
“People with a disability have a great deal to contribute to our workforce and I encourage more Australian employers to seek out people with disabilities when they are recruiting new staff, especially in these days of staff shortages in many industry sectors,” Mr. O’Connor said.
