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Disability Rights

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The activities under the Employment Support for Workers with Disabilities Project in Uganda launched in July 2012 in partnership with the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) are continuing. Three disability training workshops have so far been held, with 120 disability champions being trained in empowerment of workers with disabilities.

Workshop participantsThe training of employers on disability awareness and employment of workers with disabilities, too,has taken place in parallel. Ten employers have so far benefitted from the programme and requested more training to ensure that they are adequately equipped with the knowledge and skills to help people with disabilities to realise their full potential at work. A number of employers have shown interest in operating work placement schemes for disabled people within their organisations.

Workers with Disabilities Committees in unions

Three unions have already set up committees for workers with disabilities following amendments to their constitutions to accommodate the new structures and pledged resources to facilitate their work. NOTU affiliates are being encouraged to set up committees and it is envisaged that a national committee for workers with disabilities will be established within the NOTU. Visits to workplaces including Rwenzori Beverage Company, DHL Uganda and Nile Agro Group of Companies, have provided Yazid Baligasami, project officer, with the opportunity to discuss disability-related issues with the management. Crown Beverages has accepted to have a disability committee pending approval of the management board.

Workshop participantsUnions and employers are keen to contribute to the success of the project. The trained members/ disability champions are providing good feedback and have started compiling the lists of workers with disabilities in their workplaces. This will enable the project officer to reach out to more workers with disabilities. In Year 2, more training will be provided for disability champions, including engagement with employer organisations to explore avenues for work placement schemes for disabled people. An outreach programme for Ugandan disability organisations will also be launched with a view to imparting disability equality and awareness training on employment rights of people with disabilities. In this regard, the Project will develop a training programme based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Disability Aid Abroad (DAA), Northern Ireland, is implementing the project with financial support from the international trade union movement including TUC Aid.

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