European Chamber Promotes Disability Inclusion among Member Companies in Tianjin Go back »

2018-09-13 | Tianjin

Disability Inclusion, under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) concept, has been a frequently debated topic among member companies and many have already raised the issue to a strategic level globally. However, there still are companies who are eager to jump in knows very little about the basics of the initiative. European Chamber Tianjin Chapter hosted the CSR Networking Event on 13th September in the hope to enable experience sharing and kick off a regular communication between companies.

Mr. Cheung Yup Fan, Chairman of European Chamber Tianjin Chapter delivered an opening speech for the event. “European Chamber will work with different parties to promote disability inclusion in Tianjin, and will continue to facilitate CSR and disability inclusion collaboration among our members.” At the event, International Labor Organization（联合国国际劳工组织）, Global Business and Disability Network（全球商业和残障网络） (ILO GBDN, a unique employers-led worldwide network promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workplace) was invited to elaborate the achievements and challenge the world is facing in terms of disability inclusion. This is also the very first time this international organization has made its debut in Tianjin.

In the experience sharing and panel discussion part of the event, Mr. Wang, teacher from Technical College for the Deaf, Tianjin University of Technology; Ms. Zhang Hui, Lawyer from Yingke Law Firm shared their insights on the current situation that people with disability is facing.  Subsequently, Ms. Milly Zhang, Head of HRBP Banking Operations, of Standard Chartered Global Business Services CO, Ltd. and Ms. Stefanie Wangemann, Head of HR Organization & Education of Volkswagen Automatic Transmission (Tianjin) have also shared their knowledge and steps taken in this field within their company.

“We are making progress: from having 4 employees with disability in 2016, we now have 23. We can count on the great support from the Tianjin University of Technology which has programs for students with hearing impairs. We are promoting linkages. Line managers, HR teams, students, employees with disability and their parents are all learning from each other!” recounts Ms. Milly Zhang.

During the event, we are also happy to see that member company Volkswagen Automatic Transmission (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., announced their decision to join the ILO’s Global Business and Disability Network(GBDN) as one of the founding members to share their expertise with and also learn from the community.

“We are honored to join the Network, share our practices and advance the hiring, development and retention of people with disabilities. It is great to partner with others so as to form a critical mass of businesses hiring persons with disability.” said Mrs. Stefanie Wangemann.

European Chamber strongly believe that, as a key connection and positive interaction between enterprises and the society, CSR will bring added value to both sides beyond imagination. Disability inclusions will definitely activate those neglected or misplaces valuable Human Resources and promote the equality and healthy development of economic and cultural society. 

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