In a significant step toward workplace inclusion, the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE), in collaboration with Sightsavers, has launched the National Business and Disability Network (NBDN) as a workplace inclusion platform. This landmark initiative aims to foster greater inclusion of persons with disabilities in the labour market by promoting equal opportunities and eliminating workplace barriers.
Speaking at the launch event held at Sea Cliff Hotel, Ms. Caroline Khamati Mugalla, Director of the ILO Country Office for Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, emphasized the importance of disability inclusion in the workplace. She highlighted that despite progress in recent years, persons with disabilities continue to face attitudinal, environmental, and institutional challenges that hinder their full participation in the workforce.
"Disability inclusion makes good business sense. The ILO has been at the forefront in promoting gender equality, inclusion, and non-discrimination, particularly for marginalized groups such as women, young people, migrants, people living with HIV and persons with disabilities. We commend ATE and the private sector for championing this initiative," Ms. Mugalla stated.
Led by the Chief Guest of the event, the Deputy Minister PMO - Policy, Parliament and Coordination Hon. Ummy Nderiananga, the companies and other organisations signed a commitment charter towards joining the network.
The NBDN aligns with the ILO Global Business and Disability Network Charter, which provides a framework for enterprises to integrate disability inclusion as part of their corporate policies. The charter is founded on ten principles, which are respect and promotion of rights, non-discrimination, accessibility, job retention, equality of treatment, confidentiality, attention to all types of disabilities, collaboration, evaluation and knowledge sharing. Through this initiative, companies are encouraged to utilize the ILO Global Business and Disability Network’s Self-Assessment Tool to benchmark their inclusion strategies and foster an equitable work environment for persons with disabilities.
The ILO has been actively supporting the Prime Minister’s Office – Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities, along with trade unions and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) led by SHIVYAWATA, in implementing the ILO/UNESCO – UNPRPD Multi-Country Programme. This program, running across Tanzania, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe from 2021 to 2024, has significantly contributed to eliminating stigma and discrimination against persons with disabilities in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and workplaces.
Through this collaboration, the ILO has facilitated the development and dissemination of a regional reasonable accommodation guideline, which provides a practical framework for businesses and training institutions to create an inclusive environment. The guideline ensures compliance with international labour standards, including the ILO Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) and Tanzania’s National Disability Policy of 2004.
Ms. Mugalla called on the Tanzanian government to ratify Convention No. 159, reinforcing its commitment to developing national policies on vocational rehabilitation and employment for persons with disabilities. She assured continued ILO support in advancing social justice and promoting decent work, ensuring that the NBDN platform remains active and sustainable.
The launch event brought together key stakeholders, including government representatives, business leaders, disability rights organizations, and media personnel. Hon. Ummy Hamis Nderiananga, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office - Policy, Parliament, and Coordination, officiated the launch, reaffirming the government’s commitment to fostering disability inclusion in workplaces across Tanzania.
With the NBDN now in place, the Tanzanian business community has a unique opportunity to lead by example in promoting inclusive employment practices, ultimately driving both economic growth and social equity.
Original article from ILO
