SPEECH BY THE MINISTER OF LABOUR AND
EMPLOYMENT
HON. GAUDENTIA KABAKA
AT THE FINAL CONFERENCE OF THE PROJECT: EMPLOYABILITY – PROMOTING THE EMPLOYMENT OF
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
IMPLEMENTED BY CCBRT AND RADAR DEVELOPMENT WITH
FUNDING FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION.
31st JANUARY 2013,
AT HYATT – KILIMANJARO HOTEL, DAR ES
SALAAM
Ambassador to the EU,
His Excellency Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi,
Honourable Heads of
Mission and representatives from the Diplomatic Corps and development agencies,
Representatives of
Associations of People with Disabilities,
Distinguished Members of
the Bussiness Community,
Distinguished officials
and staff of our partner NGOs, CCBRT and Radar Development,
Fellow Government
Officials,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I
am delighted to be standing here with you all today, sharing the experiences
and successes of the EmployAbility project, which has been implemented by CCBRT
and Radar Development with support from the European Union.
Initiatives
such as this very important project, launched in September 2011 with the aim of
promoting the employment of people with disabilities in Tanzania, are welcomed
by the Government of Tanzania.
The
Government is well aware of the many challenges facing people with disabilities
in this country, in particular of the barriers to gainful employment which
exist for many of them, and is delighted that a project such as EmployAbility
has sought to break down some of the barriers.
Invited Guests, Ladies
and Gentlemen
We
congratulate the project team for its work in this area and fully support
activities leading to improved opportunities and conditions for those most in
need.
Of
course, the Government of Tanzania has itself taken action to address the
plight of people with disabilities living in the country. Over the years,
specific programmes have been designed to promote vocational training and the
employment of people with disabilities.
Ratifying
the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in
November 2009 was another major step forward by the government of Tanzania, as
it was a public pledge to increase access to formal employment opportunities
for people with disabilities and a commitment to ensuring improved access to
education, transport, and infrastructure amongest other rights.
Ratifying
the Convention also made the Government of Tanzania accountable, having to
report to the United Nation’s Committee on the Rights of People with
Disabilities.
Invited Guests, Ladies
and Gentlemen
The
culmination of this clear commitment to the rights of people with disabilities
came in April 2010, when Persons with Disabilities Act was passed by the
National Assembly. The Act, which the EmloyAbility project team have taken
great care in understanding the full implications of, aims to ensure the
absolute equality of people with disabilities in-terms of opportunities and
access, supporting increased access to education, justice, transport, health
and social services, social security and- finally and vitally – formal employment
opportunities.
Let
us not forget this extremely important provision. In the context of this great
project, it is worth reiterating some of the important aspects of the Act which, can I remind you all, clearly
states that “ all employers with 20 or
more employees are to reserve at least 3% of the registered jobs for persons
with disabilities”.
The
legal imperative is there for all to see. Why was it made? Well, have no doubt
that the Government of Tanzania understands that a fair and equitable society
in which all individuals – including those with disabilities – can participate
fully must be one in which socio-economic opportunities are available to all.
As the 2010 Act shows, this requires positive discrimination from time to time:
actively seeking to champion the cause of people with disabilities. For too
long have people with disabilities lacked the opportunities available to
others: now is the time to push their case to the fore.
Allow
me to repeat the very important provision of the 2010 Act: ALL employers (in
all sectors) are urged to reserve at least 3% of their jobs for people with
disabilities.
Invited Guests, Ladies
and Gentlemen
The
Government of Tanzania believes strongly that only with such positive
discrimination can opportunity be opened up to those most in need.
It
is worth stating that the legislation applies equally to the public and private
sector: we are all responsible for ensuring that people with disabilities are
able to access formal employment. Moreover, we must all ensure that – once in a
role – the individual is able to carry out their tasks effectively and with the
necessary adjustments or support.
Thanks
to EmployAbility project, the partners have addressed the rights, dignity and
wants of people with disabilities who are eager to make a real contribution to
the Tanzanian economy and society through work.
In
the duration of the project, 54 people with disabilities have been placed in
full time employment: a great achievement. This is just one element of this
diverse and impactiful project. In addition, the project has undertaken
extensive awareness raising activities within companies and organisations:
clearly a vital step to ensuring that the legislation is understood and that
the potential of employees with disabilities is recognised throughout the
workforce.
Invited Guests, Ladies
and Gentlemen
As
significant project success has also been achieved in the partnership between
the EmployAbility Project and Tanzania Union of Industrial and Commercial
Workers (TUICO). It was with TUICO that CCBRT and Commercial Workers (TUICO).
It was with TUICO that CCBRT and Radar Development first undertook a survey, in
2010, to assess employment levels for people with disabilities in Dar es Salaam
and – through EmployAbility – the relationship has strengthened.
Not
only does TUICO now have 32 designated Disability Champions from within the
TUICO structure and member companies: it also has a unique Disability Committee
tasked with the promotion of the rights of employees with disabilities with
clear terms of reference. It is owned and managed entirely by six TUICO members
and means that the union is positioned to champion disability issues within and
beyond TUICO. Significantly, disability issues have been incorporated into
collective bargaining strategies throughout the union and this is an important
achievement in itself as it demonstrates a real commitment to the issues of
inclusivity.
Invited Guests, Ladies
and Gentlemen
I
would like to take this opportunity to congratulate TUICO on its considerable
commitment to disability awareness and to its promotion of the rights of those
who have, in the past, been largely forgotten.
Another
notable project success was the creation, at the Association of Tanzania
Employers’ ‘Employer of the Year’ awards in December, of a disability
inclusiveness category. The winner of this worthy award was Tanzania Posts
Cooperation. I wonder who will win it next year. It is absolutely an award that
companies and organizations should aspire to winning.
All
great news so far and, indeed, much progress. However, as the three surveys
conducted by the project partners demonstrate, significant gaps remain.
Invited Guests, Ladies
and Gentlemen
A
health sector survey, carried out through the Ministry of Health and Social
Welfare in its headquarters and 19 institutions or departments, found that only
17 out of the 738 employees captured by the survey were people with
disabilities.
Similarly,
an education sector survey, carried out through the Tanzania Teachers Union in
six selected regions of the country and covering 24,555 teachers, found that a
mere 519, or two percent, had a disability of some kind.
Finally,
a private sector survey was carried out through TUICO in five selected regions
of the country. This survey covered 72 companies, 56 national and 16
multinational of more than 50 employees each, and 20,568 individuals employees.
It found that just 86 of these, or 0.4% had disability.
The
numbers are then low throughout the surveys and – added to this – awareness of
the legislation is generally low. On a positive note, many of the managers
spoken to were keen to know how to access employees with disabilities and to
learn more about their potential contribution to the workforce.
Invited Guests, Ladies
and Gentlemen
Nevertheless,
What is clear is that disability must remain high up the agenda and the
promotion of the employment rights of people with disabilities must continue
with vigour. Put simply: more needs to be done, and we are all responsible.
We
must work together to raise awareness of the employment rights and potential of
people with disabilities, and to ensure that employers are fully aware of their
moral and legal obligations.
A
work place free from discrimination and
in which all have equal opportunities is not only the right thing to aim for,
but it also makes economic sense for the nation. Ultimately, if people with
disabilities are working, adding to the profitability of a business, and not a
financial burden to others, the national economy as well as the individual’s
financial position improves. It simply makes sense.
Invited Guests, Ladies
and Gentlemen
Let
me reasure you that the Government of Tanzania recognises the challenges faced
by those employers who go down the path of inclusivity. It is no easy path.
That is why my Ministry is considering how to support corporate social
responsibility initiatives with positive policies and removing barriers.
Because
of the Government of Tanzania’s commitment to this issue, we are always
honoured to be connected to projects like EmployAbility and hope to see ongoing
initiatives in this important area.
When
we promote the rights of people with disabilities, enabling them to participate
fully in society and to contribute to the economy, we create a healthier, more
equitable society for all. Together, we must seek such a transformation and
take responsibility for our role in this. It can, and must, be achieved.
Invited Guests, Ladies
and Gentlemen
I
would like to conclude by once again thanking the Organizers for availing me
this opportunity to officiate this occasion. With these few remarks I wish you
very successful event.
Thank you for your kind
attention!
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