Employment Code of Practice for Persons with Disabilities Drafted

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says the employment code of practice for persons with disabilities has been drafted.

The Minister explained that the Disabilities Act makes provision for the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) to formulate codes of practice, which are practical guidelines on how the society can accommodate persons with disabilities in the different areas, addressing their rights.

He was speaking at the Sixth Regional Disability Studies Conference at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters in Kingston, today (April 16).

“Our Council for Persons with Disabilities has already drafted the Employment Code of Practice for persons with disabilities, and this will be reviewed this financial year to facilitate implementation,” Mr. Charles Jr. said.

“The code will provide a valuable source of guidance for employers, in learning and understanding how to treat and how to relate with persons with disabilities from the point of recruitment to that of retirement,” he added.

Mr. Charles Jr. warned against discriminating against persons with disabilities, noting that the Disabilities Rights Tribunal has been established, to ensure that there is a body to adjudicate on matters of discrimination against persons with disabilities.

“I want to take this opportunity to invite any person, anyone who believes that his or her rights have been transgressed, to make a complaint, do not hesitate. Utilise all that is available to you to protect your rights, put it in writing to the JCPD and let us work with you to make sure that the law is adhered to,” he emphasised.

The Minister noted that the law mandates that the Council do an initial investigation and then recommend matters for dispute resolution or refer them to the Tribunal.

“If we do not get serious, they’re not going to think we’re serious and the reality is sometimes, even persons with disabilities who I’ve spoken to, you know the law, but you’re allowing it by not speaking up,” Mr. Charles Jr. said.

The Minister noted that members of the Disabilities Rights Tribunal have been appointed and are ready to go.

“So, if you believe that you have been discriminated against at the workplace or denied employment on the basis of a disability, we stand ready at your service to intervene. Remember, you are right holders, and under the new global and national normative we need to make sure that we protect ourselves,” Mr. Charles Jr. said.

The Disabilities Act, which was passed in Parliament in October 2014, makes provisions to safeguard and enhance the welfare of persons with disabilities across Jamaica.

It also protects and promotes equal rights for the disabled and prohibits discrimination against them.