RIYADH, 9 January 2007 — A group of 70 handicapped people is waiting for the ministries of labor and social affairs to respond to its call to establish anti-discrimination laws in the Kingdom that would help guarantee social and economic rights for the handicapped. Some members of this group told Arab New yesterday that they are still waiting for a reply to a petition they submitted in 2005.
“Name one article in the laws of the Ministry of Social Affairs or Labor that addresses the plight of the handicapped,” said Yahya Al-Zahrani, the spokesman for the group.
Saudi Arabia’s current social framework for addressing the needs of the physically and mentally disabled amounts to annual social security entitlements of between SR3,000 ($800) and SR5,000 ($1,333). There are further benefits of SR750 ($200) a month provided by the General Organization for Social Insurance, or GOSI, but the group claims that the conditions for being granted the benefits are “endless” and difficult to meet.
“This amount is too little to cover my medical bills as well as the wages of a helper or maid, who watches over me and helps me bathe and get in the car,” said Al-Zahrani.
The group said the lack of a legal framework leaves Saudis with disabilities receiving benefits based solely on the charitable whims of officials.
“Most free treatment available for the handicapped in government hospitals is not based on the law per se, but on a directive from a high official,” he said.
The group claims that a recent order from Crown Prince Sultan to allow the handicapped to be treated in all military hospitals has not been implemented yet.
The group also complains about a lack of regulations on handicapped access in public places, especially in government buildings.
The group is also asking for a lower pension age for handicapped Saudis, since they are more likely to be unemployed, especially as they grow older. They would also like to see reforms that streamline the eligibility process and provide monthly entitlements that more adequately help to cover expenses.
Al-Zahrani said that they first approached the Ministry of Social Affairs two years ago with their petition, but were told to go to the Labor Ministry instead. The activists have sent a formal petition to Labor Minister Ghazi Al-Gosaibi. A follow-up letter was sent late last year, but according to Al-Zahrani, an official at the Labor Ministry said they lost the letter.
Among other things, the letter, addressed directly to Al-Gosaibi, complains that the legal quota that requires public and private employers to fill 5 percent of their positions with physically or mentally disabled Saudis is not being followed or enforced.
“We face many problems,” said Mubarak Al-Dosari, another handicapped person. “We are lost. We have no rights. And every government body keeps telling us to go to another.”
The group also said that the types of jobs for the handicapped pay “peanut” salaries, rarely over SR2,000 ($533) a month.
“Had only one percent been employed, the problem of jobless handicapped persons would be over,” the letter says.
Al-Zahrani wondered why certain government resolutions concerning the handicapped have still not been implemented. The Higher Council for Handicapped Persons was established in 2001 by a royal decree, but, said Al-Zahrani, “it’s been six years now and it still has not been implemented.”
“Despite our many ordeals and problems we still remain optimistic that our rights and needs will be met,” he said.
