Govt fails to respect job quotas

In an attempt to appease foreign and local human rights groups, the government has time and again announced special quotas for civil service positions for differently-abled persons however, poor implementation and a lack of dedication towards reserving the seats has meant that thousands of aspiring candidates for government jobs remain at fortunes mercy.

Zakia Parveen, a government job aspirant from Lahore, has suffered from polio since childhood due to which her physical mobility is constrained, and she has to use a wheelchair. Her husband too lives with hearing and speech impairment. “I have passed the intermediate exam and have been trying for a government job since several years but have not been successful,” lamented Zakia, who further claimed that thousands of differently-abled people like her had been unsuccessful in securing a government job despite having the necessary education, skills and ability.

“As per data from the World Health Organization, 15 to 20 percent of Pakistan’s total population comprises of people suffering from some kind of disability. But, unfortunately, the quota of jobs for special persons is only 3 per cent,” revealed Wajid Hussain, President of the Rights of Special Persons Welfare Foundation (ROSP), who was of the opinion that a lack of awareness and facilities for the special needs of differently-abled persons had aggravated their isolation from paid employment.

“Transportation is a big problem for differently-abled persons and half their salary is spent on commute only,” added Hussain.

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“Differently-abled persons require a disability certificate to get a job, but it is very difficult to obtain this certificate since only one hospital, the Services Hospital, issues it in the city. It takes the whole day for many differently-abled persons to reach there and wait for their turn,” explained Syeda Imtiaz Fatima, founder of the Independent Living Home.

According to a report obtained by the Express Tribune from the Pakistan Public Administration Research Center, Establishment Division for the year 2021-22, the number of differently-abled persons recruited under the two percent quota in federal departments was only 1704 while the total number of federal employees was 575,354. Furthermore, despite the reservation of the 3 per cent quota, more than 150 reserved seats in Punjab were vacant, while no reserved seats quota existed for the transgender community.

Zanaya Chaudhry, a trans rights activist, working as a contractual Victim Support Officer for the Punjab Police confirmed that no quota was fixed for the transgender community in government jobs. “A major reason behind this is that most educated transgender persons, including myself have had their gender written as male on their educational certificates. Even though, I was able to change my gender officially, most people are unable to do so since the process is long, complicated and costly,” shared Zanaya.

Speaking to the Express Tribune on the matter, Punjab Social Protection Authority’s (PSWA) Vice-Chairperson Jahan Ara Watto said, “The Labor Department is working to ensure that the 3 per cent quota allocated for special persons is respected in government employment, The biggest problem for people with disabilities is the lack of basic training, education, technical skills, access to infrastructure, transport and proper medical care facilities.