Higher fines for employers who discriminate against PWDs – GCOPD

The Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) is seeking to have the laws amended so that employers who discriminate against Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) can face stronger penalties.
This is according to Programme Coordinator of GCOPD, Ganesh Singh. Singh was at the time making a presentation at a workshop for journalists on Saturday at the Pegasus Hotel. He pointed out that currently, the law only permits a fine of $50,000 for employers who discriminate against PWD.
“The law needs to be defined so that employers can be held accountable,” Singh insisted. Saturday’s workshop sought to provide media workers with updated terminologies being used when reporting on PWDs.

The GCOPD is also seeking to have the building codes enforced. Currently, the building codes specify what accessibility features are to be used when constructing structures which will be used by the public.

However, the law does not make the codes enforceable. About 15 per cent of the world’s population is living with some form of disability, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In Guyana, legal issues in relation to PWDs fall under the Health Ministry but it is the Human Services and Social Security Ministry which is tasked with representing, addressing and dealing with issues in relation to PWDs.
The main legislation pertaining to the rights of PWDs in Guyana is the Persons with Disabilities Act, Chapter 36:05, Laws of Guyana which was passed in Parliament in June 2010. The GCOPD is hoping that the Act is amended so that it falls under the Social Services Act and not the Health Act.
With more than one billion persons with disabilities, terms being used to refer to that group keeps changing.
As such, the media is required to keep abreast with the acceptable thermology used when reporting on persons with disabilities.
It is with this in mind that the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) met with media workers and provided updated information.
The workshop looked at how the concept of disability is expressed and impacts the understanding, attitude, and approach of others toward the human rights of PWDs.
Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. (G4)