ILO 2015 -- Decent Work Report(Third Edition)

Preface

Social justice for all lies at the centre of the ILO mandate. Thus, promoting decent and productive work opportunities for women and men with disabilities is at the core of ILO work. This dates back to the time the Organization was established, and is reflected in international labour standards, including the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of Disabled Persons Convention - No. 159 – as well as in the Code of Practice on Managing Disability in the Workplace.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), adopted in 2006 and rapidly ratified by a majority of countries, reflects the fundamental shift that is taking place in how disability is regarded in international and national policies. People with disabilities are increasingly regarded as citizens and as rights holders, rather than as objects of social welfare or charity. The CRPD provides fresh impetus to ILO activities to promote equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in training, employment and occupation.

This shift, however, is not yet fully reflected in the labour market where equal employment opportunities for women and men with disabilities largely remain an aspiration. People with disabilities have lower employment rates, higher unemployment rates and are more likely to be economically inactive than non-disabled persons. When in employment they are more likely to be in low-paid jobs with poor career prospects and working conditions. Throughout the world there is an undeniable link between disability, poverty and exclusion. The lack of equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities forms one of the root causes of the poverty and exclusion of many members of this group.

Decent work for people with disabilities: promoting rights in the global development agenda, is intended as a resource for countries in implementing the provisions of the existing ILO standards, the ILO Code of Practice on Managing Disability in the Workplace, and the CRPD. It traces the growth of attention to disability issues in international and national standards since the early twentieth century, and reviews policy measures in place in countries around the world, along with data on their effectiveness. It shows clearly that progress has been made, but underscores the need to step up national and international efforts, including through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to break down barriers to the economic and social inclusion of disabled persons, reducing poverty and strengthening economies, and enriching societies at large.

Our sincere thanks to Peter Blanck and William Myhill, Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University, New York for their meticulous contribution to the updating of the original edition written by Arthur O’Reilly, in collaboration with ILO colleagues. We would also like to acknowledge the work of colleagues of the ILO Gender, Equality and Diversity Branch: Stefan Tromel, Senior Disability Specialist who commented on the draft and Jürgen Menze, Junior Professional Officer, Disability Inclusion who made useful observations. This publication would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of Barbara Murray, former ILO Senior Disability Specialist, who oversaw the process, contributed to and finalized the publication.

Shauna Olney
Chief
Gender, Equality and Diversity Branch
October 2015