Charles expects disabled rights bill soon

KINGSTON — The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is to receive a draft copy of a Bill to protect the rights of the disabled community, by the end of May.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, made the disclosure during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 24).

Mr. Charles said the promulgation of legislation to protect the rights of the disabled has been in progress since 2005, with the approval of the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities. He also noted that the law that is being contemplated represents a “revolutionary way” of dealing with matters relating to the disabled.

“The purpose of the law will be to promote, protect and to facilitate the full and equal employment of all fundamental rights and freedoms for persons with disability, in the areas of education and training, employment, political office and public life, health care, housing and public transportation,” he said.

The Labour Minister also stated that the Bill will legislatively establish the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disability, and it will deal with other incidental matters which can make a difference in the lives of the disabled.

“The process of drafting the Bill is being approached carefully, seeking the full participation of members of the disabled community as well as the numerous government ministries, agencies and departments which, of necessity, are required to play a vital role in the implementation of the new provisions,” Mr. Charles said.

The National Advisory Board on Disabilities and the requisite staff within the Ministry have been conducting consultations with various stakeholders, to ensure that all the policies envisioned are adequately addressed in the draft legislation.

Drafting instructions for the legislation were issued to the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel in 2006 and, since then, the Ministry has received 10 drafts, the most recent being in March.

“The process is that the Bill will be submitted to the legislation committee of Cabinet, for a clause by clause deliberation after the Attorney General’s Department reviews the draft. Thereafter, the Bill will be submitted to Cabinet seeking permission for it to be tabled in the House of Representatives for debate,” Mr. Charles explained.

He added that the Ministry was optimistic that the drafting process will be completed by December, to allow the Bill to be subject to Parliament within the current legislative year, which ends next March.

By LATONYA LINTON, JIS Reporter