I wish to appeal to the relevant authorities to educate the public about human rights and protect them from abuse, even in stringent economic times.

Some people are discriminated against, due to their history or their perceived mental condition, by employers and other people who speculate about their condition, thus slandering and defaming them.

These victims silently bear the pain of suffering from health conditions or are forced into silence out of a sense of shame.

They are bullied by individuals including corporate executives who use every opportunity to take advantage of incentives like those offered for employing disabled persons. These people then engage in questionable hire and fire practices with a very low tolerance towards human error and demonstrating unfair judgement.

It is all too common to quote the probationary period as an excuse for venting anger – and letting go an employee, causing him to have a negative record sometimes without having even been made aware of what could be wrong, simply because employment legislation allows an employer to hire and fire at will.

Is our thirst to attract foreign direct investment eating away at our sense of dignity and ethical behaviour?