The failure by both the public and private sector to achieve the 2% target set for the employment of people with disabilities as part of our work force, is an indictment to our commitment to give life to the Constitution we fought so hard for.
This was said by the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Ms Lulu Xingwana, in Bloemfontein during the International Day of People with Disabilities.
She said that no amount of excuses could explain away the failure by both government and industry to achieve the 2% target. Minister Xingwana challenged all Ministers, Premiers, MECs, Mayors, Directors General, municipal managers CEOs of state owned enterprises and industry, to stop hiding behind excuses and to take concrete steps to exceed the 2% target within their institutions by December 3, 2012.
“For as long as we have so many graduates and matriculants with disabilities who remain unemployed, dependent on hand-outs and at the mercy of their communities and families, we cannot use the excuse that there are insufficient numbers of disabled job-seekers with the required skills and qualifications”, said the Minister.
“I similarly challenge every disabled job-seeker to register as job-seekers with the Department of Labour as well as employment agencies”.
She added: “It is simply unacceptable that, despite the adoption of very progressive legislation and policies, we are not succeeding in significantly improving on the number of learners with disabilities leaving school with skills that will provide them with occupations, provide them with sustainable livelihoods and lift them out of poverty”.
She urged all political leaders across the political divide, managers in both the public and private sector, traditional leaders and leaders in civil society to re-commit to the principles of the South African Constitution, principles of equality, dignity and respect by ‘walking the talk”.
She reminded leaders and all South Africans that “if South Africa is to achieve its goal of creating decent employment, we require of all employers, of our municipalities, of our transport industry, of our institutions of higher education and training centres, to create barrier-free access to work and training opportunities for disabled job-seekers”.
The Minister noted that there is a strong link between disability and poverty. “People with disabilities will, as a group, remain largely unemployed unless we ensure that they have access to quality intervention and rehabilitation services as soon as impairment is identified.
“Too many children with disabilities remain deprived of education due to attitudinal, physical and communication barriers, thereby locking them into a life of poverty”.
“Whilst acknowledging that the progressive realisation of socio-economic and political rights is a process rather than an event, I share the frustration of South Africans with disabilities with the slow pace of progress”.
Enquiries:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Cell: 082 578 4063
