CTUSAB project focuses on disabled workers

On Tuesday, the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) launched a year-long project focused on workers with disabilities, to coincide with the Month of the Disabled.

General Secretary of CTUSAB, Dennis de Peiza, explained that the programme – which is under the theme "Employment of Workers with Disabilities" – is a collaborative initiative with the Barbados National Association of the Disabled (BARNOD), National Disability Unit (NDU) and the Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD).

He noted that CTUSAB has also proposed to work in collaboration with the stakeholders in promoting the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with emphasis being placed on the areas of education and awareness.

As a social partner, de Peiza said the CTUSAB is strongly committed to working with government agencies and local non-governmental organisations in promoting the advancement and empowerment of workers with disabilities.

"As an outcome of this project, it is our expectation that there will be greater acceptance, engagement and empowerment of all persons with disabilities, and in so doing, lead to workers with disabilities being given equal opportunity to develop their skills and talents, and to access promotional opportunities in the workplace, without prejudice or reservation," said de Peiza.

During his press statement, the General Secretary advocated for training and employment support for the disabled in the private and public sector.

"These workers ought not to be discriminated against when seeking employment, or denied promotional opportunities because of perceived notions that employers and/or human resource managers may have," he urged.

The view of training workers with disabilities was supported by the Barbados Council for the Disabled's Operations Manager, Mrs. Roseanna Tudor. She expressed the need for sensitivity training for the rest of the workers on how to relate to staff and clients with disabilities.

Ms Tudor shared her appreciation for the initiative, and for the CTUSAB reaching out to the disabled organisations and communities.

President of BARNOD, Colbert Ashby, also expressed his gratitude to CTUSAB for their project.

One of the first events for the year will be a workshop under the theme, “Empowering and Engaging Workers with Disabilities”, to be held on Tuesday April 11, 2017.

The participants for this workshop will be drawn from a target group which includes managers, human resource managers, personnel managers and supervisors from the private and public sector. At the end of the month, there will be a Fun and Health Walk to be staged on National Heroes Day, April 28, 2017.

During summer season, a National Symposium is scheduled for July 13 & 14 with a focus on workers with disabilities.

The year of activities will culminate with a “Workers with Disabilities” showcase to be held in November.