S. Sudan’s new labour bill to protect physically disabled: official

October 6, 2013 (JUBA) – The labour bill currently before lawmakers will protect physically disabled persons in South Sudan from work place discrimination, a public service official said.

Hellen Achiro, the undersecretary in the ministry said the transitional constitution of South Sudan prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.

A section of the labor law, she stressed, provides for equal employment opportunities for all.

“When enacted, the labour bill will facilitate the participation of the disabled in nation building, legislative organs and access to employment opportunities”, Achiro told reporters in Juba on Friday.

South Sudan has ratified the International Labour Organisation’s equal remuneration convention, as well as the discrimination in employment and occupation convention.

However, while the equal remuneration convention guarantees equal pay for equal work, the other prohibits discrimination in employment.

Sebut Khablu Ebibon, who chairs the disabled persons union in the country, cited the private sector as the main discriminator in the country.

He said most private sector job adverts allegedly call for physically fit applicants, making them ineligible.

The physically disabled people, officials say, constitute up to 15% of South Sudan’s population.

(ST)