Ruler of Dubai supports the rights of disabled workers with two decrees

The Ruler of Dubai yesterday issued two decrees to protect the rights of workers who are disabled or have special needs.

The move is expected to improve equal employment and includes the adoption of an Emirati sign language dictionary to improve communication with people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s decrees stressed that disabled people and those with special needs have a right to work like anyone else, with no prejudice and in suitable working conditions.

He called on the labour market to grant work privileges, as per the state’s legislation. The private sector was urged to employ more disabled people, to use transparent hiring practices, unbiased selection processes and clearly define job roles.

The decision stressed that people could not lose their jobs or be forced to retire because of their disability, or if they suffered the disability after they were hired.

The decree also called on the Ministry of Community Development to co-operate with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Federal Human Resources Authority to determine reasonable measures the disabled would need for a suitable work environment.

Last month, a survey found that employers are shying away from hiring people with disabilities because they believe it leads to expensive modifications and greater absenteeism.

More than 75 human resource managers from government and private sectors were interviewed for the study, commissioned by Emirates NBD. Respondents said they were deterred because they believed business would be harmed and that people with disabilities would not perform well.

The UAE’s first sign language dictionary has 5,000 words and 21 chapters that include numbers, education, nation states and units of measurement.

The dictionary falls within Vision 2021 and the National Agenda, which aims to promote an inclusive environment that integrates all segments of society while preserving the UAE’s unique culture and heritage.

It will be available online, through a smartphone application and on CD.