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May 2009
Disabled people are losing out as the economic downturn hits harder With the economic downturn 50% less disabled people are being placed in employment positions, something that is not just alarming, but bad for companies’ empowerment credentials, said Karen Geldenhuys, MD of IT recruitment company, Abacus Recruitment. “We have a fully-fledged disabled division and we are now placing half the number of disabled people then we used to during the past few months. This is because money is tight and companies are holding back on employing disabled people. This is naturally not good news for disabled workers, because I am sure other recruitment agencies are experiencing the same drop as we are.” Employment Equity legislation stipulates that in medium to large enterprises, the staff compliment must include 5% of people with disabilities. Furthermore, Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment stipulates that for 2 points on the BEE recognition score, 2% of employees must be disabled – and they must be black. When it comes to skills development employers get a 3 points recognition when 0, 3% of annual payroll is spent on skills development of disabled staff members. In total 11 points are available for BBBEE score - and the requirements will increase in 2011. Geldenhuys noted that companies scored the most empowerment points when they employed a black disabled woman. “This is where most of the empowerment marks are scored. But it seems companies, right now, are sitting on their pennies as the bad economy runs its course. Disabled people are the casualties, unfortunately. It is a sad state of affairs. “ |