PLWD to earn P300 � official

Amanda Dichabe | Thursday March 19, 2015 19:49

 

Motingwa said in an interview that this policy would commence on April 1 this year and they are going to be working around the clock with the help of the doctors and social workers to determine the condition of potential beneficiaries and make a determination on whether they really deserve to receive the allowance.

‘‘Some disabled people might think that they deserve to be given allowances, but with the help of the doctors and the social workers we will determine if we can grant an individual allowance. However we will be focusing more on those whose conditions do not allow them to work and require constant care, ’’he said.

Currently there are 59,103 PLWDs who are Botswana citizens. Some of them are infants born with disabilities and they will also be included in the programme following some terms and conditions.  Motingwa further said this policy came at the right time as they have released an affirmative action programme to all government departments to contribute and help employ disabled people.

‘‘Government has come up with ways to help PLWDs to have permanent jobs as they are faced with the big challenge of not being able to compete adequately compared to able-bodied people,” he said.

He revealed that so far about 108 disabled people who hold various qualifications ranging from certificates to degrees have benefitted and now occupy permanent jobs in government departments.

Meanwhile, Motingwa urged the public to change their negative stereotypes-mostly influenced by Setswana cultural beliefs that disability is a curse from God.

He also encouraged the private sector to come on board and employ disabled people.  “By employing people with disability we will be eliminating all barriers that impede people with disabilities to execute their potential,” he said.