At the initiative of the Committee on Labour, Ex-Servicemen’s and Social Issues, a Roundtable commemorating the International Day of Disabled Persons was held in the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. The topic of the roundtable this year was the employment of disabled persons.

Opening the Roundtable, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Oliver Dulic, stated that ‘salary instead of social welfare’ should be the motto for the employment of disabled persons in Serbia. Dulic pointed out that the employment of a larger number of handicapped persons will give them the chance of a more active participation in social events and the state will achieve considerable savings. “Let us make disabled persons feel a part of society, fulfill their dreams and develop their talents”, Dulic announced.

The Chairman of the Committee on Labour, Ex-Servicemen’s and Social Issues, Meho Omerovic, stated that more than 500 000 disabled persons live in Serbia, over 80% of which are unemployed, adding that 2008 will be dedicated to a better employment of disabled persons.

Representatives of authorised ministries, the National Employment Agency, UNDP for Serbia, as well as representatives of several disabled persons’ associations participated in the activities of the Roundtable.

State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, Vladimir Ilic presented the Draft Bill on the Employment of Disabled Persons.

Afterwards, following the representatives’ address, a discussion was opened in which the participants agreed that it is necessary that the National Assembly bring several legal acts to improve the position of disabled persons as soon as possible.