LIBERIA LABOUR CONGRESS

...L... SENSITIZATION MANUAL

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LLC DECENT WORK, INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY
C
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LIBERIA LABOUR CONGRESS WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE ?

Moses Gblayan
Moses Gblayan

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L

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LLC
C
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 LAUNCHING PROGRAM COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
INTRODUCTION
1. Hannah Macaulay-Karbo---- Chairperson/President General- LIWU We live in a society rich in diversity, but still marked
by prejudice and discrimination.
2. Gabriel Paul-------------------- Co-Chair/Na onal Teachers Associa on
of Liberia-NTAL
Workers of Liberia want full inclusion, where
everyone can exercise their social and
3. Collins Urey--------------------- Secretary/Assistant Secretary-LLC Youth
economic rights to decent work, their
Commi ee -NAPHWUL
freedom of choice, regardless of their ethnicity,
4. Macaulay Gedeo-------------- Member/ Chairperson LLC Youth sexual orientation, belief, among many other
Commi ee/ GODIMEWUL differences.

This booklet aims to reflect on the coexistence in

5. Comfort Doryen--------------- Member/ President General Federa on
the working environment between people with and
of Pe te Traders and Informal Workers
without disabilities.
Unions of Liberia-FEPTIWUL
People with disabilities are increasingly present in
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
the labor market.
1. Theresa T. Viskinda--------1st Vice President
nd However it is in the day to day of the workers that
2. Winston W. Wreh----------2 Vice President
the social inclusion and decent work
3. David D. Sackoh-------------Secretary General
happens in fact.
4. Obadiah D. Tarlue----------Deputy Secretary General for
Administra on
5. Ophelia N. Carpenter------Deputy Secretary General for
Opera ons
6. T. Samuel Williams---------Treasurer General
7. Thomas Dewalt--------------Chaplain General
8. Jackie N. Doe-----------------Chair-Na onal Women Commi ee
9. Macaulay Gedeo-------------Chairperson-Na onal Youth
Commi ee
10. Venus K. Quite----------------Coordinator-Na onal Women
Commi ee
11. Collins Urey--------------------Assistant Secretary-Youth
12. Brooks Togba------------------Chairperson-Trustee

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 46 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 3

 FOREWORD

This manual - its aim and objective- is on action -collective and or LIBERIA LABOUR CONGRESS
J. G. McGill Labour Center
individual- for inclusion and decent work for people with Somalia Drive - Gardnersville Freeway
disabilities. P. O. Box 0415
Monrovia, Liberia
In other words, it aims to engage workers of Liberia with E-mail: liberialabourc2013@gmail.com
Government and Employers organising decent work for people
NATIONAL UNION OF ORGANIZATION OF
living with disabilities. Moreover, it calls also to implement the THE DISABLED (UNOD) INC.
th
International Labor organisation (ILO)agenda for decent work 19 Street, Sinkor
for all at the heart of UN Sustainable Development Goals to end 1000 Monrovia 10, Liberia, West Africa.
Mob: (+231) 886463693 / 886331485 / 777603869
all forms of poverty and call on public and private Sectors E-mail: nuodliberia@gmail.com
Managers to support the people living with disabilities ' rights
and ensure that they benefit from social and economic progress
in Liberia. This book was printed by
Sammie Print Services
Email: sammieprintservice1968@gmail.com
Comrade Obadiah D. Tarlue
Deputy Secretary General for Administration Artistic work by
Moses Gblayan

Translator and Researcher

Ophelia N. Carpenter
Deputy Secretary General for Opera ons
Liberia Labour Congress.
Email: opheliacarpenter@yahoo.com

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 4 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 45

The Manual Committee Members include :
1. David D. Sackoh: ----------- Ex-officio / Secretary General - LLC
2. Ophelia N. Carpenter: -- Chairperson/Deputy Secretary General for
Opera ons-LLC/General Secretary-NABIWUL
3. Baryou Wallace: ---------- Co-Chair/Director for Workers Educa on-
LLC/President General-NUHACE
4. Morgana May-Cole: ----- Secretary/LLC PWD Desk Officer
5. Edwin B. Cisco: ----------- Member / Secretary General Agriculture Agro-
Processing and Industrial Workers Union of
Liberia-AAIWUL
6. T. Samuel Williams: ----- Member / Secretary General Ar sans, Public
works and Services Employees Union of Liberia
7. Amb. Daintowon
Domah Pay-Bayee: ------- Member / Young Women in Leadership and
Knowledge Ins tue - YOWIL
8. Jerry R.B. Duplaye: ------ Member / Secretary General Emeritus-LLC/
President General-NTUPAW
INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 44
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
It is our pleasing duty to extend our heartfelt gratitude and
appreciations to - Espaço da Cidadania and its partners including
Trade Unions of Brazil whose publication “Inclusão é Atitude” has
inspired our Manual, which have been translated from
Portuguese to English by Ophelia N. Carpenter - Deputy
Secretary General for Operations of the Liberia Labour
Congress.
The International Labour Organization-ILO, Liberia Labour
Congress-LLC, National Union of Organizations of Disabled-
NUOD, Trade Union Organizations and individuals that
worked and contributed to the LLC sensitization material.
We humbly and gratefully recognized the tireless efforts
and overwhelming support of the International Labour
Organizaation - ILO to the Liberia Labour Congress Project:
“Decent Work for Decent Life on People Living with Disabilities”
Many thanks and appreciation to all our editors, proof-readers
and those who reviewed this manual.
INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 5
 1.
REFERENCES

MYTHS AND
Truths
CAN PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITY

WORK? YES! WHY NOT?

Yes. People living with disabilities can work due to the
knowledge and skills acquired and should be given
equal opportunity to perform. People with disability
might need some form of support, i.e reasonable
adjustment to the workplace. However, people without
disabilities also might require support in similar ways.
“How to Talk About Disability and Human Rights”
h ps://asksource.info/resources/how-talk-about-
disability-and-human-rights ,

The issue of disability according to the Decent Work

and the four pillars of the Decent Work Agenda-
employment creation, social protection, rights at work,
and social dialogue are also important elements of the
new 2030 Agenda for sustainable Development Goal 8
which calls for the promotion of sustained, inclusive
and sustainable economic growth, full and productive
employment and decent work.

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 6 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 43

 REFERENCES Do You know that ?
This manual was inspired by Espaco da Cidadania
and its Partners for Inclusion.
? More than 16% of the 4.5 million
Liberians have some impairment

Of this group, according to the

National Commission On Disability-
NCD Act Section 5 says that for
“every 100 non-disabled employees
4% must be qualified disabled
persons who are gainfully employed
or funds be provided for their
employment elsewhere?”

According to the Association of

Disabled Female International-ADFI
Article 27:1, Work and employment,

! it prohibits all forms of discriminations

and encourages workers' rights
according to ILO Conventions 98,
and 87, C111 (discrimination) and
C159 (disability)

The LLC constitution Article 5 section

13 which states “to give constructive
aid in promoting the cause and interests
of the disabled, women and youth, and
the cause of national freedom of

? oppressed people and world peace, and

to this end, assist and cooperate with
free, democratic and progressive labor
movements and pro-democracy and
human rights organizations throughout
the world.”

That trade unions Collective Bargaining

Agreements-CBAS covers all workers

And should also include specific phrase

? on people living with disability!

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 42 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 7

 DO WE HAVE AN ACT OR LAW IN CREDITS
LIBERIA THAT FAVORS THE
INCLUSION OF PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES? Organizers:

Yes, in Liberia,
Liberia Labour Congress-LLC
o Decent Work Act of 2015
National Union of Organizations Of
o the 2005 National Commission on Disability Act. Disabled-NUOD

o Liberian Women's Manifesto. ADFI Manual

Technical Support
With the Technical and Financial Support
o The Trade Unions Collective Bargaining
from the International Labour
Agreements- CBAs which cover all workers
in a work place. Organization - ILO

When it comes to inclusion of people with disabilities at

work, rather than complying with what is established by
law. It is the attitude of citizenship and responsibility
towards society.

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 8 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 41

THE LIBERIA LABOUR CONGRESS Dignity
INCLUSION MANUAL Duties
Deeds
{ For Rights
This Manual is created with
the objective of advocating
for the inclusion of
people living with disability for EFFICIENCY
Moses Gblayan

decent life and decent work, and

to stop discrimination, or picking Understanding Disability
and choosing. According to UNCRPD
United Nation Conviction on
Right of People Living With Disability
Disability means
impairment + AND
obstacle that person meets or
feels in their ordinary life.

We currently live with people with disabilities

Who have one or more impairments that were
Generated by different and diverse causes, such
as a disease, an accident, a genetic alteration,
among others. 80% of impairments are invisible.
80% of impairments occurs after birth.

The important thing is that Science has advanced

and fortunately, Society has also turned around and
people with disabilities are facing fewer barriers
in the environments they live.

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 40 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 9

 We understand today that the limitation will be
higher or lower according to the accessibility
conditions the environment offers.
We see some people in wheel chair using ramps,
lowered sidewalk guides.
Offering accessibility conditions, reduced limitation
and this greatly improves the autonomy and quality
of life of people with disabilities.
An amputated person for example can walk or run
with his or her prosthesis
Moses Gblayan
INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE?
Trade Unions’ Actions to ensure inclusion
of people living with disabilities and to
end discrimination at the workplace
through this manual.
GUIDE FOR COMPANIES ON
THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE
LIVING WITH DISABILITIES
Publication of the International Labor
Organization for private sector managers,
shows how companies can respect and
support the rights of people with disabilities
and benefit from inclusion.
10 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 39
Trade union actions on decent work for people with disabilities
https://www.ilo.org/actrav/info/pubs/WCMS_608665/lang People with disabilities, for example, those with mobility
--en/index.htm limitations who need supports such as crutches,
wheelchairs, amputees or deformities, blind and low vision
Expert Meeting on Trade Union Actions to Promote Decent
people, deaf people, people with autism, mental health
Work for Persons with Disabilities
conditions (such as Schizophrenia), people with intellectual
https://www.ilo.org/actrav/info/pubs/WCMS_608665/lang disabilities, among others.
--en/index.htm
Each person deals with his/her impairment in some way and
ILO global business and disability network
the impairment is not always visible.
http://www.businessanddisability.org/
3. Regional informa on
Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on
the Rights of Persons with Disabili es in Africa
h ps://au.int/en/trea es/protocol -african-charter-human-and-
peoples-rights-rights-persons-disabili es-africa

Policy development: An analysis of disability inclusion in

a selec on of African Union policies
h ps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/dpr.12323

4. Decent Work Act of 2015

the 2005 National Commission on Disability Act.
Liberian Women's Manifesto. ADFI Manual

Moses Gblayan

38 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 11

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE?
 5.
“How to Talk About Disability and Human Rights”
h ps://asksource.info/resources/how-talk-about-disability-and-
human-rights ,

To achieve SDG 8, no one should be left behind and that

policies should be put in place for accessibility and inclusion.
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Here are some other materials
for you to explore.

1. UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with

Disabilities-UNCRPD
https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention
- on-the-rights-of-persons-with-
disabilities.html

2. ILO principles and conven ons as instruments to build an

inclusive na on with respect to

“Nothing about us without us”

And

“Leaving no one behind”no one behind”

https://www.ilo.org/global/standards/lang- en/index.htm
ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work, 2019
https://www.ilo.org/global/about -the-ilo/mission-and-
objectives/centenary-declaration/lang--en/index.htm

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 12 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 37

Protection systems for the safety and health of the
workers are fundamental!
Many impairments are acquired at work and MYTHS Realities
others could be avoided.

Do you know anyone who had accident on the job

As people with
and returned to their company after rehabilitation?
Disabilities are away
From work, more often,
All of us, workers, companies and unions must act to perform health care
to guarantee the right of the people living with x
The disabled person, is not a
sick person, but can get sick
like any other person and thus
needs to be absent from work

disability to work.
The disabled person has
job stability and different
Union practice must be aligned with ethical rights and obligations from
values, to promote the inclusion of workers with other workers.
disabilities under their representation.
x
L
The disabled person has no
employment status and
Has the same rights
and duties as other workers.

We are all in this fight together!
Person with disabilities can
not be dismissed.
x a company dismisses a
L
People with disabilities may
be dismissed. However, it
is worth remembering that as
person living with disability, it
should be in accordance with
grievance procedures and to
achieve the Decent Work
Agenda, another person with
a disability should replace

L
him/her.

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 36 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 13


The person with a disability
does not have to meet
deadlines and goals.
x ?
The disabled person has
“advantages “during the
selection process.
It is not allowed to hire people
with disabilities to engage in
activities considered
dangerous or unhealthy.
x be contracted with any other
INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE?
NOW. LET US THINK ABOUT
THESE!
The disabled person will be
Assessed and charged like
any other person. Did you know that many disabilities
L
are generated in the proper
environment of work?
The disabled person has no
advantages. However, he/she
may need some specific
resource or service to
participate in the selection
process in conditions of
equality with other people
? Do you know that in your workplace
there are risks accident or illness?
L
If a person with a disability is
capable, qualified, for a
particular profession,
? Are there safety and security
measures for all workers?
even if the exert risks in the
exercise of that activity, must
BY THE WAY…….
worker, provided that the
precepts of preventive criteria THE EMPLOYER MUST take appropriate protective
for occupational health and measures for work on machineries and equipment,
safety are met, avoiding
capable insuring the health and physical integrity
health and safety impacts
on the worker's health. of workers as well as appropriate measures
whenever persons with disabilities are
L
directly or indirectly involved at work.
14 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 35
 e
a liz e d b y th e ILO in 1999, th
Form

2.
s its
p t o f d e ce n t work synthesize
conce
g
on of promotin
historical missi
to
rt u n iti e s fo r m en and women
oppo , in
p ro d u ct iv e a nd quality work
achieve rity
o n s o f fr e e d o m, equity, secu
conditi da
eing considere
and hu m a n
n ta
d
l
ig
co
n ity
n d
, b
iti o n for overcomin
g LABOUR FOR ALL
fundam e
u ci n g so cial inequalities,
povert
guara n
y,
te
re
e
d
in g d e m ocratic governa
nce ALL FOR LABOUR
development.
and sustainable

Source: ILO (1
999) WORK FOR ALL
ALL AT WORK?

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 34 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 15

 WELCOME TO OUR
COMPANY AND YOU
FUNCTION WILL BE Actions for the inclusion of people with
IN THE GARAGE THE BOSS DOES disabilities at work are present throughout
NOT UNDERSTAND I
HAVE A MASTERS
the world and trade unions are increasingly
DEGREE IN taking part in them.
EDUCATION?

Trade unions represent workers, so their policies

must meet everyone and respect human diversity.
By doing so is inclusion!

In Liberia, fortunately, this theme already appears in

the conventions and collective agreements.
This shows the respect and struggle for decent work for the
disabled person
.

Please may I ask Yes, of course

Moses Gblayan you a question? with pleasure THANK YOU FOR THE
COLLABORATION

Contracts and business opportunities are currently not

the same for workers with disability who are hired for
which they are qualified. They do not have access to
training and career plans. Will it be that in your company
the process of recruitment and retention discriminates the Moses Gblayan

Worker living with disability?

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 16 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 33

 Have you ever attended training with colleagues with
NOTHING FOR US WITHOUT US”!
disabilities? Has a colleague with disability been
promoted in your Company?

Inclusion
& When we look at disability only in the person, we fail
Accessibility to value his/her efficiency, his/her abilities and skills
and we risk excluding them from living together and
participating in the working environment.

Other forms of discrimination are to mock, make

jokes, use abusive or insulting language in relation to
the person and his/her disability in his/her presence or
absence.

You may not even have affinities with a person living

with disability, which can happen to anyone in the
Moses Gblayan
work environment, but you must respect him / her.

Did you know that ILO has undertaken a

study in 2017 on Trade Union Actions on Decent
Work on people living with Disability?

Website: h ps://ww .ilo.org/actrav/info/pubs/

WCMS_608665/lang--en/index.htm

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 32 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 17

 Therefore, we must always be attentive to
behaviours that exclude, discriminate and
marginalise or stop picking and choosing.

People feel that you are sick if you have some disability

You! go behind.
Like BLINDNESS!
This is not fair
Discrimination
is a crime!!!
4.
You are blind!!!

INCLUSION:
WARRANTY FOR
DECENT WORK FOR ALL
Moses Gblayan

The full inclusion of workers with disabilities will only be

achieved if we meet the conditions for a decent
work and this will only be possible if in our day-
to-day activities we know how to relate, without
discriminating, without embarrassing and without
disbelief or betrayal to this worker of our company!

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 18 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 31

 Inclusion and respect the other person as
MAY I HELP YOU? YES THANKS!
I will guide you he/she is. And being able to participate in
everything that happens in life with
equality and autonomy.

People are different and this diversity

Image enriches society.

All have competencies that, in addition, reach

solutions for a series of problems
and challenges!

The main element for the quality of inclusion

IF YOU NEED HELP RIGHT - NOW
ASK FOR IT! NO THANK YOU ! at work is good human interaction
between people or between workers.

The attitude in everything! It is useless for

a company to be adapted and
Image accessible if its people are
not open to live with
each other differences.

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 30 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 19

 The person with a disability does not always
need or want help. Respect him/her will,
ask if his/her will and how you can
help him/her.

The possibility of developing activities with

autonomy gives the worker great satisfaction
and professional achievement.
What else can we do, then,
to include all the workers?

Think about it!

Moses Gblayan

DIVERSITY IN THE WORLD OF WORK:

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT? t a nt
p or
s im ink es
It i th tud
to i s
Accepting diversity is not only to live with
t att vior
people of different origins, beliefs, ethnicities, b ou eha ed
a db
i d er in
social classes, but it is mainly to respect n
a ons ive
their different ideas, cultures and histories of life. c lus c e.
n c r k pla
i
e wo
th

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 20 29

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE?
 Does it believe and invest in the potential of the
laborer offering opportunities for growth and
development for all?
Does the company ensure accessibility for people
with disabilities to work safely and productively?
TREAT ME
LIKE ADULT
If you have not had this experience yet,
how do you think you would behave in a working
environment with people with a culture, race, or
opinion different of your own?
How would you treat people with disabilities,
transsexual persons, refugees, migrants among
others, for example?

In addition to reinforcing the respect between people,

when a company opens the doors to the differences,
it will also give innovation, creativity, commitment
and a greater dedication of its employees. Individually,
one can perceive employees or workers
more satisfied with their jobs and more willing to
transmit messages of respect for the differences, in
Moses Gblayan all the environments that they attend.

Ask if he wants to talk about his disability and

only share that information with others
if he agrees.

28 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 21

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE?

ACCESSIBILITY
AND NOW??
ACCESSIBILITY
The idea of accessibility has been
increasing over time and,
today, there are different forms
of accessibility.
When the company finds a professional
to perform a certain
function, it has to care for
The Liberian Law is not yet fit for the working
environment (for people with disabilities)
is form of discrimination.
INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE?
DO YOU KNOW WHETHER THE
COMPANY YOU ARE WORKING
FOR IS INCLUSIVE?
Moses Gblayan
If the answers are affirmative, too-good for
your company!
Think about your attitude now. See if you're
doing your part too.
The first thing is to accept the others as they are,
and just as you expect to be accepted the way
you are. Behave as an equal, respecting human
dignity.
22 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 27
 About adequate accessibility so that they can carry out
AND NOW THE FACTOR OF
their activities fully. Such as trainings for sign language
PRODUCTIVITY? interpreters in court settings, classrooms,
vocational training centers. For every need,
INCLUSIVE VISION
- DIVERSITY
there is a solution that guarantees and
- DIGNITY
- ACCESSIBILITY= promotes autonomy and security.
and the PRODUCTIVITY
Productivity ?? AND NOW?
factor ? Sign I DO NOT UNDERSTAND
Language ANYTHING
What does she say!

Moses Gblayan

Moses Gblayan

The company must respect people differences

and includes not only a law but by
understanding that diversity favors
its development, its workers and the
community.
INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE?
Accessibility goes beyond the ramps, elevators, tail
floor and adapted bathrooms.
It also includes everything that facilitates work and
communication in a general way as:
Writing in Braille for blind people, font enlargement
in texts for people with low vision, sign language
interpretation for people with hearing impaired.
26 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 23
 Is it your first day at work?
Leave your dog
in the garage!

3.
INCLUSIVE
ENTERPRISES
LIVING TOGETHER WITH
DIVERSITY
Moses Gblayan

INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 24 INCLUSION: WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE? 25