Far fewer people with physical or mental disabilities have found a job in the regular employment market than the government claims, according to sheltered work umbrella group Cedris.

The agency told Trouw on Wednesday that 12,000 people have a regular job, not the 53,000 claimed by the government.

Ministers, local authorities, employers and unions agreed in 2013 that by 2025, 125,000 jobs should be created for people with disabilities, as sheltered work schemes are phased out.

Cedris said in May that it would analyse the government’s figures. Among its findings:  the 53,000 total includes 10,000 jobs for youngsters with handicaps which already existed, and 11,000 jobs done by youngsters at trade schools.

Kitty Jong, a spokeswoman for trade union federation FNV, said Cendris’ conclusions are disappointing but in line with reports that she has heard.

The government is due to publish its own new calculations later on Wednesday.