Juliari Wants MoSA to Lead in Fulfilling the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

JAKARTA (January 27, 2020) - Minister of Social Affairs Juliari P. Batubara asked his staff to ensure that the Ministry of Social Affairs is at the forefront of fulfilling the rights of persons with disabilities. In addition to fulfilling the quota for the provision of jobs, Juliari also asked for assurance that facilities within the Ministry of Social Affairs were disability friendly.

"I remind you again that there is an obligation to employ people with disabilities of 1 percent for the private sector, and 2 percent for government agencies. If necessary, the Ministry of Social Affairs can be more than 2 percent,” said Juliari during his work visit to the Social Welfare Training and Education Center in Jakarta, Monday (27/01/2020).

Juliari reminded the importance of paying attention to the rights of persons with disabilities, as well as implementing a disability-friendly Indonesia. Among the considerations is the number of people with disabilities in Indonesia, which is 21.84 million people or around 8.56 percent of Indonesia's population. Nearly half have multiple disabilities.

According to Juliari, the population is quite large, because it is almost equal to the population of Malaysia. "The number of 20 million is quite large. So, you can establish your own country. But no less important, their rights need to be considered,” he said.

In addition, the accommodation of persons with disabilities in the employment sector is also a mandate of the law. In Law Number 8 of 2016 concerning Persons with Disabilities, it is clearly regulated regarding the obligation to accommodate persons with disabilities in the workforce.

In Article 53 paragraph (1), it is mandated by the Government, Regional Government, State-Owned Enterprises and Region-Owned Enterprises to employ at least 2 percent of Persons with Disabilities from the number of employees or workers.

The existing regulations are quite clear, and even the Ministry of Social Affairs is also drafting regulations on this matter. Juliari requested that the Ministry of Social Affairs be at the forefront of fulfilling the rights of persons with disabilities.

"If we want to make rules, we have to be consistent in implementing them. So, what we are fighting for is what we must do every day. So, we have integrity," said Juliari. Furthermore, he asked his staff to map the work fields in the Ministry of Social Affairs that allow accommodation for people with disabilities.

"We can accommodate persons with disabilities in types of work that do not really require high mobility. Like in the call center or back office. I think this can be done,” said Juliari.

Regarding the implementation of Law no. 8/2016, especially the obligation to accommodate persons with disabilities in the work sector, Juliari had also conveyed a meeting with the Deputy Regent of Bogor Iwan Setiawan, on the opportunity to visit the Ciung Wanara Social Rehabilitation Center (BRSPDI) and the Vocational Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities (BBRVPD), in Cibinong, Bogor, some time ago.

"I discussed with the Deputy Regent. Please socialize the mandate of the Law both in government and among the business world. There are so many companies in Bogor,” said Juliari. To the Deputy Regent, he hopes that the alumni of the two centres can expand the opportunity to get a job, especially in the Bogor area.

In his report to the Minister of Social Affairs, the Head of the Education, Research and Social Counselling Agency (BP3S) Syahabuddin, stated that the Social Welfare Training and Education Centre is a government institution whose main function is to provide Social Welfare Education and Training.

Referring to Law Number 11 of 2009 concerning Social Welfare and Regulation of the Minister of Social Affairs Number 20 of 2015 concerning the Organization and Work Procedures of the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Social Welfare Education and Training Centre is a part of the Ministry of Social Affairs' BP3S.

"The outline of social welfare education and training is focused on the development of social welfare human resources through an innovative and competitive educational system," he said.

Public Relations Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs