site.btaLabour Minister Kalfin: Lv 20 Mln Will Be Made Available for Social Entrepreneurship

Labour Minister Kalfin: Lv 20 Mln Will Be Made Available for Social Entrepreneurship

Sofia, December 3 (BTA) - Some 20 million leva will be made available for social entrepreneurship under the Operational Programme Human Resources Development, said Deputy Prime Minister and Labour Minister Ivailo Kalfin on Wednesday. He spoke during a meeting with members of nationally representatives organizations of the disabled on the eve of the International Day of People with Disability, December 3.

The Labour and Social Policy Ministry will work to provide more possibilities and improve access to the labour market for the disabled people in a socially responsible business environment, said kalfin. He reviewed legislation tabled by the Labour Ministry in support of people with disabilities, which includes a new Social Assistance Act and amendments to the Integration of People with Disabilities Act and the rules of organization of the National Council for Integration of People with Disabilities. The Labour Minister noted the good dialogue between the state and the non-governmental organizations.

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On Wednesday, the European Commission proposed a European Accessibility Act, which will set common accessibility requirements for certain key products and services that will help people with disabilities at EU level to participate fully in society.

The products and services covered have been carefully selected in consultation with citizens and civil society organisations as well as businesses. They include ATMs and banking services, PCs, telephones and TV equipment, telephony and audiovisual services, transport, e-books and e-commerce.

Common accessibility requirements will also apply in the frame of EU procurement rules and for the use of EU funds. The initiative will stimulate innovation and increase the offer of accessible products and services for the around 80 million persons with disabilities in the EU.