Organizations fighting for the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) will organize a protest tomorrow in front of the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Dialogue, because the department has not responded to their initiatives regarding amendments to the Law on Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of PWDs.
The protest at Roman Square will, as announced, begin at 12 noon.
The President of the Federation of Paraplegic Associations of Montenegro, Milijana Ćirković, told the MINA agency that by gathering and speaking with a common voice, they are expressing opposition to the proposed changes, which, as she stated, directly threaten the dignity and rights of persons with disabilities.
"Let's not allow our acquired subsidies to be reduced! Let's show solidarity and fight for a just law," said Ćirković.
She said that with these changes, instead of expanding subsidies to further encourage the employment of PWDs, the Government is trying to reduce the scope of support and thus jeopardize the existence of PWDs who are already included in the work process.
Ćirković pointed out that these measures will inevitably lead to the dismissal of the majority of employed persons with disabilities, a reduction in their salaries, a deterioration in the economic situation of this population, and additional social exclusion.
"We emphasize that employers have had a very difficult time deciding to hire people with disabilities, even with these previous subsidies, and we cannot even imagine what would happen if the proposed law is adopted. Without stimulation, without motivation, employers will be even less interested," said Ćirković.
She reminded that the Rulebook on the conditions, criteria and procedure for exercising the right to subsidies clearly defines that the state has provided numerous benefits to employers who employ persons with disabilities or to self-employed persons with disabilities.
Ćirković reminded that these benefits include covering 75 percent of gross salary for people with 50 percent or more disability throughout the entire duration of employment.
"For people with less than 50 percent disability, the state covered 75 percent of gross earnings in the first year, 60 percent in the second, and 50 percent in the third and each subsequent year," said Ćirković.
As she said, this included covering the costs of equipment and workplace adaptations, including machines and tools needed for work, as well as covering the personal expenses of assistants in their work up to the amount of the minimum wage and providing favorable loans for the purchase of necessary equipment for work.
Ćirković stated that with the planned changes, those categories would not have 75 percent of the subsidy in the first year (people under 50 percent and from 50 to 79 percent disability), but would be reduced to 40 to 50 percent, depending on the category.
"Also, reducing the coverage of personal expenses of assistants below the minimum wage will further complicate working conditions for persons with disabilities who need assistance," warned Ćirković.
According to her, the Government's goal is clear - to save funds in the budget at the expense of the rights of people with disabilities, in order to redirect them to covering the budget deficit, instead of using them for what they were originally intended for - supporting the employment of people with disabilities.
Ćirković stated that they are therefore demanding that these items be restored to their previous state.
"These subsidies were introduced with a clear goal - to facilitate employment and ensure equality for people with disabilities in the labor market, and their reduction is a direct attack on the acquired rights of people with disabilities and employers who have recognized the importance of employing this population," emphasized Ćirković.
She said that they must not allow these rights to be reduced and that PWDs are once again placed in a situation of being excluded from the world of work.
The Federation of Paraplegic Associations called on its members - branches, their members, all organizations of people with disabilities, as well as all citizens who support their rights, to join the protest at Roman Square.
The protest is organized by the Association of Youth with Disabilities, the Association of the Blind, the Association of Paraplegic Associations, the Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the non-governmental organization (NGO) Mozaik, the Association for Support of Persons with Disabilities, and the Association for the Affirmation and Support of Women with Disabilities "Nova žena".
Among the organizers are the Association of Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities "Ray of Hope", New Chance in Novi, NGO Brain and the Paralympic Committee of Montenegro.
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