By Joshua Kirby


Industria de Diseno Textil SA, or Inditex, said Wednesday that it aims to double the number of disabled people it employs within two years as it looks to foster inclusion in its workplaces.

The Spanish fashion giant, owner of brands Zara, Bershka and Pull & Bear, said the move will entail hiring some 1,500 people with disabilities, doubling the current figure.

The group said it will aim to go beyond legal thresholds for disabled employee numbers in the markets where it operates, and in those where there is no such legal minimum, to ensure at least 2% of its total employees are disabled.

The pledge was made as Inditex endorsed the International Labour Organization's Global Business and Disability Network, which works to promote the inclusion of disability in workplaces. The network counts among its corporate members major employers including BNP Paribas--Europe's largest bank by market value--, consumer goods group Nestle SA, oil-and-gas major TotalEnergies SA and luxury-goods giant LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, as well as Inditex.

"Companies increasingly recognise that their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts must address the inclusion of persons with disabilities to lead to positive and sustainable business changes," said Oscar Garcia Maceiras, chief executive of Inditex. "Our pledge is to design opportunities for everyone," he said.


Write to Joshua Kirby at joshua.kirby@wsj.com; @joshualeokirby


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-25-23 0725ET