Experience Story – Work Integration from an Employee’s Perspective
Dainis is 44 years old and lives in a group apartment at the Social Services Centre “Vanags” in Valmiera, operated by the Samaritan Association of Latvia. This group apartment is not just a place to live – it is an opportunity. An opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities to live as independently as possible, to develop self-care and daily living skills, to acquire new abilities, and step by step move closer to the labour market.
Dainis is one of the participants in the project “Stronger Together”, representing employees. He wants to work. And he can work. All he needs is support, understanding, and belief in his abilities. This is precisely the aim of the project – to help people with disabilities integrate into the labour market by providing training for both employers and employees, ensuring that both sides understand each other and can cooperate successfully.
Dainis has done various jobs – washing cars, working at a sawmill, mowing lawns, and working as a janitor. Employment relationships have often been short-term, as it is difficult for him to maintain focus and interest over longer periods – something typical for people with intellectual disabilities. However, one thing remains constant: when Dainis works, he works thoroughly.
“I like mowing lawns the most – and I do it very well. There are never any complaints; everyone is satisfied. But I can do other jobs too. During the project, I worked in construction. The supervisor was supportive and showed me how to use the tools. I helped with interior work for a couple of days. When extra help is needed again, I will be able to work,” says Dainis.
This is exactly how the solution developed and piloted during the project – “Employee as a Service” – operates. The service provider is the social enterprise “Samariešu darbnīcas” Ltd., established by the Samaritan Association of Latvia, which acts as a bridge between the employee and potential employers. The company employs people with intellectual disabilities and provides various services to other businesses. These may include piecework, auxiliary tasks, and other forms of short- or long-term cooperation. For example, the company “I.U.M.” needed an assistant worker for two days – and Dainis completed the job. In this way, Samariešu darbnīcas serves as an intermediary facilitating the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in the labour market, acting as a service partner.
The service provider understands the employee’s abilities and needs, the employer has completed training, and both parties clearly understand what to expect. The entrepreneur does not need to establish permanent employment relationships – this model allows employers to gradually get to know people with intellectual disabilities while outsourcing motivated workers for specific tasks. It is a flexible, humane, and mutually beneficial solution.
“It is important to me that the supervisor is understanding. Maybe I do something more slowly, but I do it more carefully. I want to work – so I can buy my own clothes, go somewhere, see something new,” says Dainis.
His desire to work is not only about income. It is also about self-respect, independence, and the feeling of being needed.
Spring is approaching – fieldwork in rural and urban areas will begin, and construction activity will increase. Dainis will not lack work. And perhaps he will be the one who carefully and responsibly completes the next task – quietly, but with quality.
Prepared by Dagnija Kaklautina
Public Relations
“Samaritan Association of Latvia”
This activity was supported as part of STRONGER TOGETHER, an Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021-2027 project co-funded by the European Union.
