Despite ongoing efforts by Government, NGOs and other institutions, many people with disabilities still face discrimination when accessing the labour market. Which is why MISA and the RMI have pledged their strong commitment to create more job opportunities for people with disabilities in the motor retail industry.

For many years, people with disabilities have been discriminated against, mainly due to misconceptions and stereotyping of people with disabilities.

So often, people hear the word ‘disability’ and immediately associate the concept with inability or even incapacity.

A person’s disability may take many forms – it could be physical, sensory, intellectual or mental. In many cases, conditions termed as disabilities may have little or no impact on a person’s ability to work and play an active role in society, while certain disabilities do require considerable support and assistance.

But instead of focusing on what a person with a disability cannot do, MISA, together with the RMI, would like to see a focus on what they can contribute to the workplace and society as a whole.  

At governmental level, there is strong support to employ people with disabilities.

The Department of Labour’s Employment Equity Act, 1998, was promulgated to redress inequalities and discrimination in the workplace. In addition, the Commission for Employment Equity has also published the Code of Good Practice on the Employment of People with Disabilities.

The aim of the Code is to guide, educate and inform employers, employees and trade unions to understand their rights and obligations, to promote and encourage equal opportunities and fair treatment of people with disabilities.

Focusing on job creation in our industry

According to MISA’s CEO for Strategy and Development, Hermann Köstens, the motor retail industry can play a significant role in creating jobs for people with disabilities, with a specific focus on young workers.

“With 48 000 jobs lost in South Africa in the first quarter of this year, we as an industry must step up and do whatever we can to stimulate job creation,” he notes. “One way in which to do this is to create more opportunities for people with disabilities and to retain them in our industry.”

Martlé Keyter, MISA’s CEO Operations, agrees, “We would like to see employers make a mindshift towards focusing on what people living with disabilities can contribute to the workplace, rather than focusing on what they cannot do.”

“We are strong campaigners that persons with disabilities who want to work, must be given the opportunity to do so if they possess the inherent qualities the job requires,” notes Jakkie Olivier, CEO of the RMI.

So let’s start by educating ourselves about what people with disabilities can contribute to the workplace and open our minds to a new way of thinking.

Article by Thandeka Phiri, MISA’s National Training Manager.

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