The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Family and Social Development to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities and those under state care.

Under the agreement, MIFCO will provide employment to persons with disabilities and individuals in state care who are willing and able to work. According to the Ministry, the initiative is intended to promote independent living by enabling these individuals to earn a livelihood and actively participate in the workforce.

The Ministry further noted that the workplaces assigned to persons with disabilities under the agreement would be adapted to meet their specific needs, ensuring accessible and appropriate environments for employment.

The overall objective, according to the Ministry, is to provide a foundation for self-reliance and personal growth for the target group, while contributing to the creation of a more inclusive and engaged society.

In addition to the agreement with MIFCO, the Ministry is working alongside Care Society to implement a specialised training programme known as ‘Job Readiness’. This initiative is designed to equip persons with disabilities with the skills necessary to join the workforce.