FG reaffirms equal employment opportunities, entrepreneurial support for PWDs
FG reaffirms equal employment opportunities, entrepreneurial support for PWDs
The Federal Government on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to implementing policies and programmes that promoted equal opportunities for people living with disabilities (PWD) in employment, training and entrepreneurship.
Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, said this in a memorandum submitted by the ministry to the House of Representatives Committee on Disability Matters during a public hearing in Abuja.
The public hearing had the theme, “Access to Employment and Entrepreneurship Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria.”
Onyejeocha described the theme of the public hearing as a critical issue that required collective attention.
According to her, the ministry recognises the importance of promoting inclusive employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for PWDs.
“The memorandum also highlights the provisions made by the ministry to support PWDs in accessing employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
“The National Employment Policy of Nigeria contains specific provisions aimed at promoting the economic inclusion of PWDs.
“This include equal opportunities for employment, encouraging both public and private sector employers to adopt inclusive hiring policies for PWDs.
“It also recommended that workplaces be made accessible to individuals with disabilities through appropriate infrastructure modifications,” she said.
The minister noted that other provisions were ensuring that the PWDs were protected from discrimination in hiring, remuneration and career advancement.
She added that facilitating vocational and technical training tailored to enhance the employability of PWDs are also provisions.
She said that another provision was promoting access to financial support, grants, and mentorship for such persons to establish and sustain businesses.
Onyejeocha recalled that the ministry had taken concrete steps to promote accessibility and inclusion of PWDs within its job placement and entrepreneurial support programmes.
The entrepreneurial support programmes, she said, included the creation of an accessible job centre, organising monthly entrepreneurship and employability training.
The minister of state added that collaboration with stakeholders to create sustainable employment opportunities for PWDs, and offering job placement were also part of its support programmes.
Onyejeocha said that recognising the need for physical accessibility, the ministry’s job centre was strategically located on the ground floor of the Federal Secretariat Complex.
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This, she stressed, was to ensure easy access for PWDs seeking employment opportunities.
She added that the ministry partnered with relevant stakeholders, including disability-focused organisations, employers, and financial institutions, to create sustainable employment and business opportunities for PWDs, among others.
“We acknowledge that despite these efforts, more needs to be done to address the challenges faced by PWDs in accessing employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
“We believe that this public hearing provides a platform for us to engage with stakeholders, share experiences, and identify solutions to these challenges,”she said.
