KHUJAND, September 4, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Disabled people living in northern Tajikistan take efforts to earn money.  Thus, they built two workshops – sewing workshop and confectionery – in Khujand recently. 

Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, Ms. Lola Ashourova, chairperson of Disabled People’s Society of Sughd, said that their products are in good demand.  “They are cheaper than products of other enterprises, because the workshops are exempted from paying taxes,” Ashourova said.  

            Fifteen persons currently work with the confectionery, which produces some 350-400 somonis’ worth of various goods per day.  

            As far as the sewing workshop is concerned, five persons now work with it, sewing blankets and pillows.  They earn 20-25 somonis per day, according to Ashourova.  

 In all, more than 50 different workshops have been launched by Disabled People’s Society of Sughd so far. 

“Disabled people cannot get jobs at ordinary enterprises and organizations, and therefore, they are forced to extricate themselves from this difficult situation,” the Disabled People’s Society head said, noting that 15,000 disabled people are members of the Society.