KUALA TERENGGANU, Malaysia — A supermarket chain in Malaysia hires persons with disabilities to give them a chance to earn a living.
TreLeaf Mart has been doing this since last year in a move to “spread love” by fulfilling its corporate social responsibility.
Managing director of the supermarket Guo Si Zhong told Sin Chew Daily that each supermarket under the company hires two to three disabled whose hearing and speech are impaired. Two to three job vacancies in each outlet are reserved for them.
Guo said the company arranges jobs which do not require them to communicate with customers such as arranging goods on the shelf and tasks which they are capable of completing them.
“The hearing and speech impaired are physically healthy. Their job capability is similar to normal people and they only face obstacles in communicating with others. So far, those hired by us deliver good performance,’’ he said.
They wear a badge which reads: I can’t speak or hear but I am friendly staff. Customers would not have any misunderstanding while communicating with them.
Guo said the company treats them like any other workers. They receive same salary and benefits like other workers. If they have outstanding performance, they receive promotion and opportunities to attend training too.
The company seeks help from a hearing and speech impaired association in the state for the association to recommend workers to the company. It is also considering to increase the number of positions for them.
Guo is of the view that instead of offering the hearing and speech impaired financial assistance, offer them a chance to earn a living by providing them job opportunities. They find life more meaningful earning their own living.
TreLeaf Mart Sdn Bhd also encourages customers to claim vouchers of the supermarket to help those in need.
He said customers can buy the RM10 (US$2.5) vouchers for charity and staff would paste the vouchers on notice board for the needy to claim the vouchers.
He said the vouchers can be given to the poor or those who suddenly face financial difficulties to buy some groceries.
“Customers who pay for the vouchers or those who come forward to take the vouchers do not require to give their names. We hope to spread love using this method, extend a helping hand to the underprivileged group.
If no one comes forward to claim the vouchers the company would send the vouchers to those needy through the Village Security and Development Committees.