House Chairperson, thank you to the Deputy Minister for the response. What progress is the public service making in meeting its commitment to protect people with disabilities against unfair discrimination in the recruitment process and also creating a conducive working environment for the people with disabilities that is characterised by fairness and equity in opportunities for career progression? I thank you.
The DEPUTY MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY FOR WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS
WITH DISABILITIES: Hon members, my department has embarked on a process together with the South African Law Reform Commission of
developing a stand alone disability specific legislation so as to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities. You will recall that the 2% we have is not only for government offices but even the private sector has not been meeting the targets. Now, if we raise it to a higher percentage in line with the international standards, maybe to 7%, there is no way in which we can reinforce that without a specific legislation.
Unfortunately the report ... we have just started with the sixth administration and we have been given a period of almost three years before the legislation is on the table. So, we hope our officials continue to work harder with the South African Law Reform Commission to get a comprehensive legislation which will enable us to monitor and put punitive measures for those offices, be it public or private, that are not adhering to the said standards. Thank you.