Dar es Salaam. The CEO Roundtable of Tanzania (CEOrt), through its Think Equal, Lead Smart (TELS) programme implemented in collaboration with the Vodacom Tanzania Foundation, has brought together various stakeholders to discuss challenges hindering persons with disabilities from accessing employment opportunities.
The forum, held at Slipway Hotel here in the city, convened government leaders, policymakers, employers from both the public and private sectors, as well as representatives of organizations for persons with disabilities.
Under the theme, What interventions drive inclusion for people with disabilities in workplaces, participants called for stricter enforcement of the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2010, which requires institutions with at least 20 employees to allocate a minimum of three percent of jobs to persons with disabilities and to provide a supportive working environment.
Contributing to the discussion, Acting Director of the Disability Unit in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities), Mr Jacob Mwinula, said that despite the existence of the law, its implementation remains low.
“The law requires institutions with 20 or more employees to employ at least three percent of persons with disabilities, but implementation is still below one percent, which calls for urgent action,” he said.
He noted that in the public sector, implementation stands at only 0.37 percent, while in the private sector it is 0.2 percent, underscoring the need for intensified efforts to ensure compliance.
Mr. Mwinula urged institutions to invest in inclusive work environments, including assistive devices for people with visual and hearing impairments, accessible infrastructure, and appropriate facilities.
Meanwhile, Legal Advisor for the Tanzania Federation of Disabled People (SHIVYAWATA), Mr Novath Rukwago, emphasized that Tanzania has ratified several international conventions, including those of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which advocate for equality and non-discrimination in the workplace.
“These legal frameworks are part of the national agenda to ensure that no one is left behind in the country’s development,” he stressed.
However, he noted that some employers remain hesitant due to perceived costs associated with creating inclusive workplaces, a factor that continues to limit employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Sharing his personal experience, CCBRT Disability Services Manager, Mr Frederick Anigallah, said stigma remains a significant barrier.
“I was once denied the opportunity to attend a job interview because I was mistaken for a beggar, despite having all the required qualifications,” he said.
On her part, CEOrt Project Manager, Ms Hawa Urungu, said the discussion forms part of ongoing efforts with the Vodacom Tanzania Foundation under the TELS programme established in 2024 to promote equity and inclusion of marginalized groups, particularly women and persons with disabilities, in economic activities.
Vodacom Tanzania Foundation Manager, Ms Sandra Oswald, added that the forum plays a key role in encouraging stakeholders participation to ensure persons with disabilities are fully included in nation-building.
“Through the TELS programme, we continue to collaborate with stakeholders to empower special groups and ensure their full participation in the national economy,” she said.
Overall, stakeholders agreed on the need to accelerate the implementation of policies and laws, while also addressing societal attitudes to ensure equal employment opportunities and economic inclusion for persons with disabilities.
