The “Beauty” Story of the “Beauty Workshop”

“Our product inhibits bacteria and eliminates dust mites, enhances sleep quality, and provides a cooling sensation to reduce heat and dryness.” Recently, at the Fourth National Exhibition and Skills Festival for Persons with Disabilities, the bedding products of Shandong Yantai Zhonglian Industrial Co., Ltd. have been warmly received by visitors, with a steady stream of customers coming to browse and purchase. As one of 12 “Beautiful Workshops” nationwide, Shandong Yantai Zhonglian Industrial Co., Ltd. actively fulfills its role as a model enterprise, helping women with disabilities find employment and realize their dreams of self-reliance and empowerment.

The reporter learned that the “Beautiful Workshop” employment program for women with disabilities is jointly organized and implemented by the China Disabled Persons’ Federation, the All-China Women’s Federation, and other relevant departments. The initiative aims to select and support a group of handicraft enterprises or institutions that offer convenient, local, or home-based employment opportunities tailored to women with disabilities, branding them as “Beautiful Workshops.” Through skills training, job creation, and outreach efforts, the program seeks to help more women with disabilities gain access to employment and entrepreneurship. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the project plans to establish 100 leading “Beautiful Workshop” enterprises or institutions nationwide.

Following the launch of the project, localities have actively implemented its guiding principles, formulated supporting policies and measures, and worked to build distinctive “Beautiful Workshops” brands tailored to their regions, giving rise to a large number of enterprises and institutions that help women with disabilities secure employment and increase their incomes.

“At the time, the project’s eligibility criteria were quite stringent: applicants were required to provide on-the-job employment for at least 10 women with disabilities for three consecutive years, or to support at least 20 women with disabilities in flexible, home‑based work; additionally, they had to offer annual training to no fewer than 30 women with disabilities,” recalled a staff member at the Yantai Comprehensive Service Center for Persons with Disabilities. Furthermore, projects had to meet other requirements, including producing goods that are handmade, imbued with cultural or regional characteristics, demand a certain level of craftsmanship, command a relatively high market value, and have stable sales channels. Among the many enterprises that applied, Shandong Yantai Zhonglian Industrial Co., Ltd. stood out, becoming the province’s only “Beautiful Workshop” to date.

Zhonglian Industrial is a labor-intensive enterprise that primarily manufactures bed sheets, duvet covers, and similar products. With stable revenues, it is well-suited to providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. “Even before being recognized as a ‘Beautiful Workshop,’ our company had already been designated a Shandong Province Demonstration Base for Employment of Persons with Disabilities. We are committed to continuously improving the working environment for women with disabilities, enhancing employee benefits, and raising their standard of living,” said Li Wei, Administrative Manager of Shandong Yantai Zhonglian Industrial Co., Ltd. He cited specific measures, such as enrolling every employee with a disability in social old-age insurance; upgrading the cafeteria menu to accommodate their dietary preferences and health needs; providing free dormitory accommodations and bedding; and establishing dedicated facilities like staff activity centers and multi-purpose halls to enrich their cultural and recreational lives. To date, the company has employed over 300 individuals, including laid-off workers and persons with disabilities, among whom women account for 73%.

Yu Wenli is a person with a hearing disability who has worked at Zhonglian Industrial for more than 20 years, having held positions in inspection, sewing, packaging, and other roles. “I’ve already retired, but the company rehired me, giving me the chance to contribute my remaining energy. I will certainly cherish this opportunity and work diligently,” Yu Wenli said.

This exhibition‑and‑skills‑celebration event is not the “Beautiful Workshop”’s debut. Since the project’s launch in July 2022, it has been showcased at prominent international venues, including the 10th International Skills Competition for Persons with Disabilities in France and the centennial celebration of Rehabilitation International. Its exquisitely crafted, deeply meaningful works have drawn widespread attention from all sectors. As the “Beautiful Workshop” brand continues to strengthen and expand nationwide, the initiative is poised to become a key platform for empowering women with disabilities to secure employment and increase their incomes, while also serving as an important showcase of China’s efforts to safeguard the labor and employment rights of women with disabilities.