FG moves to end unsafe workplace treatment for disabled persons

Group lauds National Assembly on disability bill

The Federal Government has disclosed plans to end unsafe and inhuman workplace conditions of the disabled and other workers.This was disclosed yesterday at a retreat in Akwaga, Nasarawa State.The Head of Service, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, said the retreat was called to deliberate on ways of eliminating work place hazards, especially in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies [MDAs].

The office of the HOS organised the retreat for members of the committee on the development of public service emergency policy.The Deputy Director, Department of Occupational Health, Safety and Environment, Patrick Pillar, represented her.

The HOS directed the relevant authorities to prepare documents by various speakers to be kept in offices, or in and around government buildings, for public servants to comply with.

The Senior Technical Assistant to the President on Rehabilitation of Disabilities Matters, David Yilbel, presented a paper on “Safety management of people living with disabilities in workplace.”

Yilbel stressed that accessibility should include signage in manuals, work place instructions and electronic information.He said: “These should be reviewed where necessary for the accessibility of people with visual impairment, and for people with intellectual disability in particular.”

According to him, accessibility for people with hearing impairment should include, access to information frequently conveyed by sound.This include the ringing of bell, fire alarm, whistle or siren, adding that such facilities should be reviewed and complemented where necessary with alternative devices.He canvassed the use of flashing lights and effective management of disability in the work place.

In planning to improve accessibility, he said employers should consult with the disabled worker and specialist technical advisory services.To accomplish the task, the HOS has set up a 12-member technical committee.

It is charged with the development of public service emergency policy to draw up action plans to end the practice.She directed managers of public and private institutions to join hands with government to implement the proposal.

The technical committee is also charged with development of the public service emergency policy to draw up action plans to end the practice.Meanwhile, the Director of the Centre for Citizens With Disability (CCD), David Anyaele, has commended the National Assembly on the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill, 2018.

In a statement, he urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign it into law. Ayaele said the bill was in consonance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.He added that Article 4 specifically mandates states to adopt all appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures for the implementation of the rights.