Employers advised to hire more PWDs

 

Released last week in Kampala, the research carried out by Disability Policy Watch Africa revealed that 84% of the employers were satisfied with the effectiveness of employees with disabilities, saying that local governments showed the highest satisfaction (90%) followed by the private sector (77%).

 

"It is unfortunate that of the 721,098 persons who are employed in the formal sector nationally, only 9,122 (1.3%) of these are Persons with Disabilities. 

 

I am, however, proud to report that on a more positive note, 84% of the employers were satisfied with the effectiveness of employees with disabilities. 

 

Local governments showed the highest satisfaction (90%) followed by the private sector (77%), proving that PWD are an asset in their workplaces," said Dr. Patrick Ojok while presenting the findings at the Mark 12.4% conference at Hotel Africana. 

 

  

The conference organised by Light for the World, the initiators of Make 12,.4% Work initiative brought together different disabled people's organisations and Civil Society Organisations. 

 

"I am glad this research shows that 85 % of the employers would support or comply with the law that requires them to reserve a defined proportion of their workforce for Persons with Disabilities and that Only 5 % would not support this quota policy," Dr. Ojok said.

 

Humphrey Nabimanya, the founder and team leader at Reach a Hand Uganda challenged companies to employ at least one person with a disability this year.

 

"I would like to encourage different organisations and companies to employ at least one person with a disability this year. 

 

  

Disability is not inability and persons with disabilities just like anyone else have the right to employment, access to sexual and reproductive health information and services, and so much more." said Nabimanya.

 

Anneke Maarse, the Disability Inclusion Advisor, Light For The World said, "Access to employment, education, income, information, control over one's body are everybody's basic aspirations and there is no difference for persons with disabilities. 

 

By acting together across our fields and sectors, we can create this environment in which all of us, including people with disabilities, enjoy a life free of stigma and discrimination."