CTUSAB Expresses Disappointment Over Absence of Employment Quotas in Barbados' Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act

The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) is disappointed that the new Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act does not mandate employment quotas for people with disabilities, describing it as a significant setback for workplace equality.

CTUSAB General Secretary Dennis de Peiza told journalists the absence of job quotas sent “mixed signals” about the government’s commitment to ensuring equal opportunities in the workplace.

He said: “The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados is extremely disappointed over the non-inclusion of a quota system in the recently passed Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act by the Parliament of Barbados. This is to be regretted, as the absence of such a provision is more or less a pushback to the efforts to provide equality of opportunity as it relates to the employment of persons who suffer with a disability.”

De Peiza warned that this decision risks exacerbating economic challenges faced by persons with disabilities and could have emotional and psychological repercussions for those affected.

“The decision not to include a quota system in the legislation has potentially destroyed many hopes of persons with a disability availing themselves of the opportunity to improve their economic status,” he explained. “This decision may, to some measure, contribute to the emotional and psychological state of mind of those who are impacted. The exclusion of the quota system raises the question of whether this borders on discrimination.”

The landmark Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, enacted earlier this year, aims to address issues such as education, job security, protection against abuse, and transport for people with disabilities.

Referring to the law’s definition of discrimination—which includes any action that impairs equal enjoyment of human rights—De Peiza argued that the government’s stance appears contradictory.

“Following on this definition, the subsequent decision by the government begs the question as to mixed signals that are seemingly being sent, where on one hand inclusion in the workplace is being promoted, but in practice, there is a retreat from mandating reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities,” he said.

“It would appear that the signal being sent is that the workplace community is not quite ready for full integration of persons with disabilities into the workforce.”