Stakeholders Canvass For More PWD Inclusive In Workplace

Stakeholders have advocated for the inclusion of persons living with disability in workplaces.

This call was made at the Nigeria Business and Disability Network (NBDN) second edition of its Nigeria Diversity and Inclusion Conference with the theme ‘Disability Inclusion in Corporate Sustainability’ held recently in Lagos.

The conference serves as a platform for employers to enhance disability confidence, foster inclusion practices, and promote job readiness for people with disabilities in the workplace.

Speaking at the event, the chair, NBDN, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan said that over the years there has been an increased call for corporates to integrate people with disabilities (PWDs) into roles befitting their qualification.

According to the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Nigeria has an estimate of over 30 million PWDs, who are being marginalised on the grounds of gender, poverty, age or other factors.

She added that it has become imperative for PWDs to have equal access to opportunities across all sectors, saying that including disability in Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) not only boasts company value and shareholders return but also reduces workplace inequality.

Senior Global advisor, Save the Children International, Dr. Toyin Aderemi said “the unemployment rate among persons with disabilities is double that of persons without disabilities. This is worse for women with disabilities. Apart from the government, the private sector presents a sizable employment opportunity to persons with disabilities, who are mostly employed in the informal sectors where they are poorly paid. When employed in the formal sectors, they usually experience underemployment and misemployment.”

She however, called on players and members of the NBDN to embrace diversity and inclusion, saying “in Nigeria, the creation of the Nigeria Business Disability Network is a potential game changer for improved employment of persons with disabilities, by promoting the benefits of inclusion for businesses.”

Country director, Sightsavers Nigeria, Dr. Joy Shuaibu stated that diversity and inclusion make good business, saying that each and every member of the Nigeria business and Disability network is actively building sustainability, increasing their economic profit margins and driving innovation through diversity mainstreaming.

Also, senior programme officer of International Labour Organization (ILO) Nigeria, Chinyere Emeka-Anuna said that “inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workplace is crucial as they are equal humans with equal rights to economic empowerment and decent work. Employing persons with disabilities also have increasing benefits to the companies as research has proven that organisations that promote disability inclusion outperform those who do not.

“By focusing on skills rather than stereotypes, companies can gain access to a huge pool of untapped talent and maximise the potential of their workforce. These employees have diverse experiences, including different disabilities, that equip them with different approaches to problem-solving and can increase the company’s capacity for innovation.”