EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILTIES: BOTSWANA COUNTRY REPORT

Tlamelo O. Mmatli

Senior Lecturer Department of Social Work 

University of Botswana

GENERAL INFORMATION – BOTSWANAApproximately 2 million inhabitants - 2011 Census results

36% reside - in rural areas, 42% in urban villages, and 22% in cities and towns

Poverty estimated at 40.3% in rural and 25% in urban areas in 2010/2011 (UNICEF, 2012)

Inequality among the highest in the world (2009/2010 Botswana Core Welfare Indicators Survey)

Dependency on minerals, especially diamonds

ContUnemployment - at 18% in 2009/2010 (UNICEF, 2012)

Unemployment highest amongst those with only secondary education or less

Highest level of unemployment among youth aged 15 – 19 years, at 41% in 2009/10: not in school and not working

Unemployment amongst youth aged 20 – 24 at 34% within the same period (2009/10)

Unemployment amongst women at 21% (UNICEF, 2012)

A FOCUS ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

1991 census– disability rate at 2.2% (CSO, 1991)

2001 census – disability rate at 2.99% (CSO, 2001)

2011 census – disability rate at 3.5% of population Many live in the rural areas and urban villages

(CSO, 2011).

Historically marginalization and exclusion from employment

Focus on … ContA large proportion of the working-age population who are

unemployed

Of those who are economically active, a significant proportion (39.4%) are paid in kind, whilst 41.0% are engaged in unpaid work in the family (CSO, 2001).

Majority engaged in family agricultural activities

People with disabilities classified among the poorest of the poor in the world

Poverty and inequality affect people with disabilities the most

Poverty associated with unemployment

GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE

The Rehabilitation Services Division established in 1976 to coordinate service provision

CBR introduced in 1979 – a strategy

Botswana Council for the Disabled - 1980

Policy on the Care of People with disabilities - 1996

CBR Evaluation - 2000:

People with disabilities left behind in the social and economic development of the country

Policy – no tangible benefits for people with disabilities

Received no meaningful education or training

Unemployment was highest among them

Recent Developments

Growing awareness generally in recent years

particularly regarding the unemployment status of people with disabilities

OFFICE OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES - Activities Office of People with Disabilities established within the Office of the

President in 2010

Engaged in awareness raising drive to sensitise the nation on the plight of people with disabilities, including their employment/unemployment situation

Workshops for different stakeholders throughout the country

Broad discussions on the situation of people with disabilities generally, including employment/unemployment issues

Mainstreaming - focal persons appointed in all ministries

Consultancy studies commissioned jointly by Government and International agencies

Review of the Legal Instruments, Policies, Strategies and Programmes for the Integration of Issues for People with Disabilities - 2012

The majority of policies, programmes, strategies and plans that were reviewed did not specifically mention people with disabilities as beneficiaries

For example, none of the poverty alleviation policies, programmes and strategies; agricultural programmes and citizen economic empowerment policies and programmes adequately incorporated issues for people with disabilities.

ContCitizen Economic Empowerment

policies and programmes do not sufficiently include people with disabilities

- seek to improve livelihoods of the population, and enhance capacity for self-employment and self-reliance

ContWhen these policies and programmes were

designed access for people with disabilities were not considered

Not even reference to them or their issues. Thus they don’t even have formal inclusion/equality.

The majority of the country laws did not offer sufficient protection to the rights of people with disabilities

Disability AuditDisability Audit of Legislation and Policies Relating to the Education, Vocational Training and Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Botswana

Three pieces of legislation Employment Act (Cap. 47:01 of

2008) Public Service Act (Act No. 30 of

2008)

Workers Compensation Act (cap. 48:01 of 2001)

Results Not compliant with either the UN Convention

on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD, 2006) or the ILO Convention No. 159 on the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) (1983).

Formal equality without substantive equality

No provision for reasonable accommodation or affirmative action

Results Cont No provision for job retention, return to

work, medical or vocational rehabilitation

No specific provision for the training/retraining, and of people with disabilities

Self-employment for people with disabilities does not form part of their focus

In a Nutshell People with disabilities remain marginalized and excluded from

employment Citizen economic empowerment schemes that promote self-

employment do not articulate how people with disabilities are be accommodated

The legal framework in Botswana does not sufficiently protect the employment rights of people with disabilities

The lack of a disability specific legislation or employment equity

legislation does not help the situation

The built environment is also prevent people with disabilities from accessing employment (Mmatli, 2007)

Why is this so?

Important things not yet done

Ratification of CRPD – 27 Provides for:Opportunity to gain a living by work - as a right in an

inclusive labour market- A disability specific law a requirement to

(a) Prohibit discrimination(b) protect rights(c) Operationalize rights

Secure employment in the public sector and private sector

Creation of opportunities for self-employment – and assist in starting own business

ILO CONVENTION NO. 159 ON THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT (DISABLED PERSONS) – domestication of

Skilling and employment of people with disabilities

A positive noteDisability increasingly becoming part of the priority

list for government ministries and departments

For example, in December 2012 a Savingram on employment of graduates with disabilities

Departments already responding

Employment situation of graduates is likely to improve What of the nun-graduates?