The Head of the Delegation of the EU in Tanzania, Ambassador Tim Clarke (right), stressing a point during the launch of the Employability Project and Disability Employment Campaign. Next to him is the Deputy Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr. Makongoro Mahanga who was the guest of honour at the function.
Deputy Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr. Makongoro Mahanga giving a key note address before he officially launched the Employability Project and Disability Employment Campaign.
A cross-section of people who attended the launch the Employability Project and Disability Employment Campaign.
THE Government has asked all the employers in the country to make sure that they abide by labour laws which require them not to discriminate against people with disabilities in recruitment for formal jobs.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, the Deputy Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr. Milton Makongoro Mahanga while quoting various legal provisions, said that it was illegal for employers to deny jobs to people on the basis of their disabilities.
"…Section 7(4) of the Employment and Labour Relations Act prohibits any employer who discriminates against an employee in any employment policy or practice on reasons of disability, among others," he cited.
He was speaking during the launch of EmployAbility Project and Disability Employment Campaign that he presided over as a guest of honour. The two initiatives aim to raise awareness on the abilities and skills of persons with disabilities, promote formal employment of persons with disabilities, to facilitate and contribute to a more inclusive society in which all members can participate equally.
The projects are run by CCBRT (a local indigenous provider of surgical and rehabilitation services to people with disability), CEFA (an Italian NGO with major focus in rural development) and Radar Development (a not-for-profit division of Radar Group Ltd. which provides services to employers) with support from the European Union.
The Deputy Minister highlighted important positive discriminatory provision set out by the Employment and Labour Relations Act which calls upon all employers with 20 or more employees to reserve at least 3 percent of the registered jobs for persons with disabilities.
"…to contribute to an inclusive and equitable society and long-term economic success of our nation, all employers both private and public are urged to reserve three percent of their jobs for persons with disabilities. And this is a legal requirement," he urged.
According to him, the government has taken a number of steps in addressing the plight of people with disabilities in the country including passing of laws and policies. He also said that the country has also ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights with Disabilities. A law-The Persons with Disabilities Act was passed by the National Assembly in April last year to domesticate the UN Convention.
Dr. Mahanga said that he felt so much honoured to launch the CCBRT, CEFA and Radar Development national campaign for inclusive employment and pledged government's full support in its implementation.
On his part, the Head of the European Union in Tanzania, Ambassador Tim Clarke, commended efforts by the government in addressing rights of people with disabilities but noted that there is still more to be done.
"The EU has become a major player in recognising this problem (discrimination of people with disabilities), and is trying to do something about it. And here in Tanzania we're determined to make a difference and this is why we've offered our full support to these initiatives by our partners," he said.
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