New employment scheme for the disabled

Last Friday in East London, the Minster of Labour, Mildred Oliphant, launched the Supported Employment Enterprise (SEE), which aims to promote employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for people with disabilities in the country.

The SEE is a new entity taking over from what was known as the Sheltered Employment Services (SEF), established 60 years ago, to create employment opportunities for those - mainly whites – handicapped in World War II.

After 1994, the SEF was re- structured to cater for all disabled people in South Africa. It has since grown to secure contracts (to the value of R92m) with departments such as Education, Health and others.

The aim of the new body is to alleviate unemployment levels amongst disabled people.