Decent Work and People with Disabilities: The Role of Trade Unions

3. Do you know a disabled person? What is his or her disability? What does he or she do for a living?

4. What is Disability? Loss of functioning Physical Sensory Intellectual Mental/Psychiatric

5. Dimensions of disability: People with disabilities are not a homogeneous group Type of disability Physical Sensory Intellectual Psychiatric Severity Severe Moderate Mild �. While they are not homogeneous, they face similar barriers in the region and throughout the world. �. While they are not homogeneous, they face similar barriers in the region and throughout the world.

6. ILO DefinitionAn individual whose prospects of securing and retaining suitable employment are substantially reduced as a result of physical or mental impairment (introduced in R 99).

8. Changing concepts: A human rights issue From welfare to medical to social model From a charity to rights The social environment creates the disadvantages people with disabilities face

9. 1955 ILO VR Recommendation No. 99 1971 UN Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons 1975 UN Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons 1981 UN International Year of Disabled Persons 1982 UN World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons 1983-1992 UN Decade of Disabled Persons 1983 ILO VR (Disabled) Convention No. 159 1983 ILO VR (Disabled) Recommendation No. 168 1993 UN Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities 1993-2002 Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 2001 ILO Code of Practice for Managing Disability in the Workplace 2003-2012 Second Asia and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons Current Drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities International conventions and initiatives

10. Regional initiative by ESCAP and governments in the region to improve the situation of disabled persons Adopted the Biwako Millennium Framework of Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-Free and Rights-Based Society Seven target areas, including training and employment Calls for rights-based, anti-discrimination policies and legislation for people with disabilities that is developed in conjunction with social partners, including workers� organizations Asia and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 2003-2012 Explain difference between a Convention, a Recommendation and a standard Note Korean Government ratified 159 The BMF calls for countries to ratify convention 159 ILO Convention 159---Convention Concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) calls for governments to set up a policy on rehabilitation and employment promotion and to do so in consultation with employers�, workers, the community and people with disabilities and their representatives. The recommendations (99 was I 1955) and 168 in 1983 elaborate on the ILO principles While the Convention is directed toward governments, the Code is directed to employers. These and other international initiatives related to the Right to Work are further elaborated in the Working Paper THE RIGHT TO DECENT WORK for PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. (Limited copies---needs to be reprinted.) These standards embody the following principles. Explain difference between a Convention, a Recommendation and a standard Note Korean Government ratified 159 The BMF calls for countries to ratify convention 159 ILO Convention 159---Convention Concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) calls for governments to set up a policy on rehabilitation and employment promotion and to do so in consultation with employers�, workers, the community and people with disabilities and their representatives. The recommendations (99 was I 1955) and 168 in 1983 elaborate on the ILO principles While the Convention is directed toward governments, the Code is directed to employers. These and other international initiatives related to the Right to Work are further elaborated in the Working Paper THE RIGHT TO DECENT WORK for PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. (Limited copies---needs to be reprinted.) These standards embody the following principles.

12. Changing concepts: Disability as an economic issue People with disability among the poorest of the poor Skyrocketing costs related to disability World Bank estimate of social exclusion: US$1.37 trillion to US$1.94 trillion of global GDP or $2,486 to $5,135 per disabled person annually Finland: Disability-related spending is 13.9% GDP; 10% of labour force on disability pension in 1996 Australia: People on Disability Support Pensions---up more than 60% in last 10 years; similar statistics in Canada and UK Vocational rehabilitation and return to work of injured workers makes economic sense for the individual and society

13. Articulated in Unlocking Potential and AbilityAsia Managing diversity, which includes disabled workers, is a major factor in efficiency, productivity and overall success People with disabilities are good workers Hiring and retaining improves team work---group spirit People with disabilities are customers Changing concepts: The new disability business case

14. So why aren�t more disabled people working? What barriers to do they face?

15. Barriers to Decent Work

16. How big is the problem? 600 million disabled people worldwide 370 million in Asia 386 million of working-age worldwide 238 million in Asia are of working age Only 10 percent of disabled children are in primary school Most live in rural areas Unemployment rates are double that of the general population and as high as 80 percent Disability and poverty are linked: 20 percent of the world�s poor are disabled

17. People with disabilities are: Able to work Many want to work Research shows they made good employees overall Many have work histories and skills, especially those who have work-related disabilities Disability and Decent Work

18. Decent work and disability People with disabilities overall Face social exclusion, discrimination More likely to be poor and out of the labour force---with as many as 50 to 90 percent unemployed Make less money when they do work at less decent jobs Injured workers Face barriers to returning to work Returning rates vary from 40 to 70 percent for back injured according to recent study of some Western countries (ISSA, 2002)

19. What is the ILO doing to improve the situation for people with disabilities?

20. Knowledge: Country studies, Web site, examples of good practice Advocacy: Promotion of standards, BMF, Code; engagement of social partners; raising awareness Technical assistance: Policy advice, projects, awareness training, technical training, etc. Means of Action

21. ILO Recommendation 99 Concerning Vocational Rehabilitation, 1955 ILO Convention 159 Concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons), 1983 ILO Recommendation 168, 1983 ILO Code of Practice for Managing Disability in the Workplace, 2002 ILO Disability-specific standards Explain difference between a Convention, a Recommendation and a standard Note Korean Government ratified 159 The BMF calls for countries to ratify convention 159 ILO Convention 159---Convention Concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) calls for governments to set up a policy on rehabilitation and employment promotion and to do so in consultation with employers�, workers, the community and people with disabilities and their representatives. The recommendations (99 was I 1955) and 168 in 1983 elaborate on the ILO principles While the Convention is directed toward governments, the Code is directed to employers. These and other international initiatives related to the Right to Work are further elaborated in the Working Paper THE RIGHT TO DECENT WORK for PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. (Limited copies---needs to be reprinted.) These standards embody the following principles. Explain difference between a Convention, a Recommendation and a standard Note Korean Government ratified 159 The BMF calls for countries to ratify convention 159 ILO Convention 159---Convention Concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) calls for governments to set up a policy on rehabilitation and employment promotion and to do so in consultation with employers�, workers, the community and people with disabilities and their representatives. The recommendations (99 was I 1955) and 168 in 1983 elaborate on the ILO principles While the Convention is directed toward governments, the Code is directed to employers. These and other international initiatives related to the Right to Work are further elaborated in the Working Paper THE RIGHT TO DECENT WORK for PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. (Limited copies---needs to be reprinted.) These standards embody the following principles.

22. Decent work for all - non-discrimination Government policy on vocational rehabilitation Equal treatment and equal opportunity Involve all disability groups, women and men, rural and urban Tripartite consultations, plus disabled persons Mainstreaming in training and employment, whenever possible Special measures allowed, such as affirmative action Trained personnel ILO Principles

23. ILO Code of practice for managing disability in the workplace: Targets employers Provides practical guidance to ensure equal opportunities and treatment of disabled workers in the workplace Identifies duties of competent authorities, workers� representatives and employers Addresses the specific issues related to recruitment, promotion, job retention and adjustments for disabled workers Promotes safe and accessible workplaces Minimizes employer costs related to disability Maximizes contributions of employees with disabilities

24. Why should trade unions get involved with workers with disabilities?

27. What can trade unions do to help people with disabilities? What is your trade union doing?

28. What does the ILO say about what trade unions can do?

32. ILO Code of Practice on Managing Disability in the Workplace - Advocate for employment and training - Encourage PWDs to join and take leadership roles - Represent disabled worker interests in all activities and negotiations - Train and sensitize members about disability - Promote a healthy workplace - Promote introduction of disability management strategies - Raise employers� awareness about laws and standards Encourage members to cooperate in return to work programs Serve as a model employer and integrate all aspects of the Code in hiring and managing disabled employees

33. What are some examples of what trade unions have done?

36. Providing Training and Skills Development

44. What could your union do?

47. What specifically will you do?