Work for all: FCA supports inclusive job fair in Syria
A job fair for persons with disabilities was organised by Finn Church Aid (FCA) in Syria under the theme ‘Work for All’. The event was funded by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held under the patronage of Syria’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.
THE EMPLOYMENT FORUM, which lasted two days, was officially opened by Her Excellency Ms. Hind Qabawat, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor in Syria, alongside Dr. Mohammad Nidal Al-Shaar, Minister of Economy and Industry in Syria, and Mr. Mazen Khzouz, Country Director of FCA in Syria and Jordan. The event welcomed representatives from international organizations, UN agencies, INGOs, and the private sector.
Held over two days, the job fair aimed to promote inclusive employment by creating a direct link between job seekers with disabilities and potential employers from both the public and private sectors, as well as international non-governmental organizations (INGOs).
Minister Qabawat highlighted the increasing number of persons with disabilities over the past 14 years and underlined the urgent need to integrate them into the workforce. She noted that the ministry is working on a draft policy to increase the employment quota for persons with disabilities to 10%, while also encouraging private sector involvement. She was the first of many during the event to emphasise that individuals with disabilities are an integral part of Syrian society.
FCA’s Mazen Khzouz expressed pride in launching the inclusive job fair, which aligns with FCA’s strategy in Syria to empower persons with disabilities and support their inclusion in both society and the labour market.
The inclusive job fair featured participation from 47 private companies and NGOs, offering 127 real job opportunities and 474 training programs leading to employment for persons with disabilities.
In addition, the event hosted 10 informative sessions covering a range of topics, including workplace inclusion, CV writing, interview preparation, the role of AI in the job market, legal frameworks for workplace accessibility, and occupational health and safety.
FCA Syria extends its sincere thanks to all participating companies and INGOs and reaffirms its ongoing commitment.
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Text: Bayan Shawwak, FCA Syria
Photos: FCA Syria
