Kuala lumpur: The work ethics of persons with disabilities (PWDs) continue to gain recognition, with nearly 81 per cent of employers rating their performance on par with other workers, according to the Department of Statistics (DOSM)'s 2025 Employment Survey of Persons with Disabilities in Malaysia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin stated that the survey, which involved 1,830 employers, also found that 71.9 per cent acknowledged the role of PWD workers in driving productivity and innovation in the workplace. Nearly 22 per cent of these employers currently hire PWDs.

The effort reflects growing employer awareness on workforce diversity and is supported by the achievement of nearly 30 per cent employment among workers with physical disabilities, Mohd Uzir noted in a statement.

The survey revealed that nearly 91 per cent of employers who had previously hired PWDs provided employment opportunities for between one and five workers, while 47.5 per cent expressed their intention to continue hiring this group in the future.

Among employers currently hiring PWDs, 83.7 per cent employ between one and five workers, with elementary occupations being the preferred job category at 31.4 per cent.

Mohd Uzir highlighted that the survey also found 86.5 per cent of employed PWD workers possessed the PWD card as official verification of their disability.

A majority of employers showed support for efforts to strengthen the inclusive employment ecosystem, with 90.6 per cent backing the establishment of specific guidelines related to PWD employment. Additionally, 77.3 per cent agreed that job training should be tailored according to the type of disability.

Despite these positive findings, the survey identified several challenges. About 63.3 per cent of employers cited the high cost of modifying workplaces to be PWD-friendly, while 78.6 per cent reported difficulties in finding suitable candidates. There is also a need to further improve awareness of the benefits and incentives of hiring PWDs.

Mohd Uzir emphasized that holistic cooperation among the government, employers, PWD organizations, and all stakeholders is crucial to strengthen the inclusive participation of PWDs in the labor market and support the country's socio-economic development.