Not every fifth impacted business catered to individuals with disabilities. - Approximately twenty percent of holdings in [the specified location/context] lack the presence of individuals with severe disabilities.
Let's get this straight, bro. In Thuringia, almost one-fifth of relevant employers ain't meeting their legal obligation to employ disabled individuals. According to the Federal Employment Agency's latest data from 2023, around 20.8 percent of these companies haven't got no disabled folk on their payroll. Ten years ago, that number was slightly higher at 21.1 percent.
Employers that don't measure up, or only kind of do, gotta cough up a compensation fee to the integration offices. The size of the fee depends on the company and their compliance rate. All private and public employers with at least 20 job openings are required to fill at least five percent of these positions with folks who've got a disability.
Startin' January 1, 2024, companies that flop on the employment obligations? They'll be slapped with a steeper compensation fee. For these laggards, the fee can add up to 720 euros per month, based on company size.
In Thuringia, around 25,000 people with disabilities were employed in socially insured jobs in 2023. You might be surprised, but 79 percent of them were 45 years or older. Most of 'em worked in manufacturing, public administration, or social and healthcare sectors.
The progress in inclusion quotas is a snail's pace, my friend. In 2023, only 44.9 percent of companies in Thuringia managed to meet their legal obligation to employ disabled individuals. The previous year saw a proportion of 44 percent, and ten years ago, it was a whopping 46.4 percent. Arsen't that a kick in the teeth? In 2023, an additional 34.3 percent at least kinda complied. These employers? They only filled a part of the legally mandated positions with disabled individuals.
Markus Behrens, chairman of the regional office, emphasized the importance of promoting the inclusion of disabled individuals in the workforce due to demographic developments. He's all about squashing prejudices and improving integration. Luckily, rehabilitation specialists act as contact persons in every local employment office, and there's a slew of funding instruments available, from qualification to wage supplements to technical equipment.
Now, what I've shared with you, homie, are general policies and initiatives that apply to the broader context. Though specific, Thuringia-focused statistics and updates are a rarity in the available sources, it seems.
But don't worry, there's a silver lining. The federal law in Germany sets legal quotas for large employers to hire people with disabilities, and reasonable accommodations are mandatory for all employers. Plus, there are counseling and support services available to both employers and disabled individuals, aiming to facilitate employment and ensure accessibility.
So, keep pressing forward, homie. We'll get there.
In Thuringia, a significant issue persists, with over one-fifth of relevant companies not meeting the legally mandated employment quota for individuals with disabilities. This situation, according to data from 2023, has slightly improved from a decade ago, but the progress remains slow. Despite the slow pace, there are federal laws and initiatives, such as vocational training programs and funding instruments, designed to promote the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the workforce. Additionally, companies that fail to comply with employment obligations face steeper fines starting from January 2024.
