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Inclusivity: Indonesian MSMEs strive to empower the disabled
Inclusivity has been a long-discussed issue, but its implementation remains on a minuscule scale. Many MSMEs try to enhance their social impact by making some strides toward inclusivity and they are making it their core business value.
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Empowerment: Internationally renowned fashion brand Sean Sheila chooses to employ the disabled in its cofounder's hometown, Purbalingga, Central Java. (Jakarta Fashion Week/Courtesy of Dachri Megantara) (Jakarta Fashion Week/Courtesy of Dachri Megantara)
Inclusivity has been a long-discussed issue in business, but its implementation remains on a minuscule scale. Many micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) try to enhance their social impact by making small steps toward inclusivity or by making it their core business value.
When Sera Yolanda started developing her laundry business in Bintaro, South Jakarta, she went straight to disabled communities for her recruitment.
“I was traumatized because I’d had bad experiences with house helps who were physically normal, but most of them had no intention of working. Maybe because they felt finding work was easy for them,” said Sera, who established Baby Laundry in 2019.
“I often saw people with disabilities around me discriminated against, in terms of social interaction and job opportunities, so when I started my business, I simply wanted to give them a chance,” said the 33-year-old. “I just want to give them more opportunities, even though I know I might not be able to give them a big salary because this is still a small business.”
For Sean Loh, one of the cofounders of premium fashion brand Sean Sheila, the opportunity to empower the disabled fell into his and his partner, Sheila Agatha’s, lap when they opened their brand’s workshop in Sheila’s hometown, Purbalingga, Central Java, in 2014.
The region is known for its wigs and eyelash industry, which absorb a huge amount of the local workforce. Deciding not to get stuck in the recruitment war, the couple turned to Sekolah Luar Biasa (SLB) state school Purbalingga for students with disabilities to find skilled workers, and the rest is history.
