Persons with disabilities’ human rights, including their right to decent work, are protected in a wide range of international human rights instruments.
Disability results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinders their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis. There is a need to create an enabling environment, including by removing those barriers, so that persons with disabilities can enjoy real equality in society, including in the field of employment.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimated in 2015 that there were one billion persons with disabilities globally, with 80% of them living in “development countries”. Out of that figure, approximately 800 million were of working age as of 2016. Persons with disabilities make up the world’s largest and most disadvantaged minority.
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The rights of Persons with Disabilities are recognised in a wide range of international human rights instruments including, amongst many others:
“persons with disabilities have the right to work on an equal basis with others. This includes the right to the opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities”.
“States should actively support the integration of persons with disabilities into open employment. This active support could occur through a variety of measures, such as vocational training, incentive-oriented quota schemes, reserved or designated employment, loans or grants for small business, exclusive contracts or priority production rights, tax concessions, contract compliance or other technical or financial assistance to enterprises employing workers with disabilities. States should also encourage employers to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate persons with disabilities”
Employment is central to the ability of persons with disabilities to maintain a decent standard of living for themselves and for their families, and is an important factor influencing their opportunities to participate fully in society.
Obstacles to equal opportunities in the workplace or to obtain employment included barriers to education, lack of reasonable accommodation, inaccessibility of information and of the physical environment, including transportation, housing and workplaces, limitations related to legal capacity, as well as attitudinal barriers in society. The World Health Organisation reported in 2011 that women with disabilities commonly earned less than men with disabilities and the wage gaps between men and women with and without disabilities were as big as the difference in employment rates,. A 2012 ILO report stated that throughout the world, persons with disabilities were likely to be in jobs with poor promotional prospects and working conditions, especially in the informal economy, and few had access to skills development and other opportunities that would enable them to earn a decent living.
“enterprises should respect the human rights of individuals belonging to specific groups or populations that require particular attention, where they may have adverse human rights impacts on them…including the rights of persons with disabilities.”
International Disability Alliance stated that there was not only an ethical and human rights legal case, but also a business case for employing persons with disabilities, part of which was related to the need for business enterprises to have a diverse workforce, which largely reflects the diversity of consumers. It also has positive effects in rooting the business within the community. Likewise, the ILO also notes that business enterprises employing persons with disabilities will benefit from more diverse workforces, improved productivity, reduced turnover, safer workplaces and increased customer service and community brand loyalty. The UN Global Compact acknowledges that businesses are increasingly realising that fostering diversity that includes persons with disabilities among employees, suppliers, and customers can provide a competitive advantage.
States have adopted legislation to realise the rights of persons with disabilities to access employment, t through the adoption of anti-discrimination legislation with applicability to the workplace. This includes, for example the US Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 and Australia’s Disability Discrimination Act 1992 There have also been a number of positive measures to improve the number of persons with disabilities within the workforce, including quota systems and tax incentives. Peru’s General Law on Persons with Disabilities, adopted in 2012, stipulates that businesses with more than 50 employees must hire persons with disabilities in a percentage no less than 3% of the total amount of workers. Companies complying with the law get a reduction on their income tax that could accrue to up to 50 percent if more than 30 percent of their workforce is composed of persons with disabilities. The Danish Act on the Prohibition against Discrimination in the labour market, which implements EU Council Directive 2000/78, covers not only differential treatment due to disability, but includes a requirement on the employer to adjust the workplace to meet the needs of persons with disabilities. Also, the Ugandan Act on Employment entitles private companies who employ ten or more persons with disabilities as apprentices or regular employees to a deduction of 15% on all payable tax.
Various multi-stakeholder initiatives also address the rights of persons with disabilities. The ILO Global Business and Disability Network is a unique worldwide network of multinational companies, national employers’ organisations, business networks and disabled people’s organisations working in collaboration to promote disability inclusion in the workplace. The UN Global Compact has a Guide for Business on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to improve business’ understanding of the rights of people with disabilities. In addition, the Global Reporting Initiative produced a Guide on Disability in Sustainability Reporting in 2015.
Many companies across the world have policies, practices and initiatives in place that seek to respect and support the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities as employees, customers, suppliers and community members. This can include both measures to implement human rights legal obligations or can be measures to go beyond minimum standards. Novartis has created Employee Resource Groups for persons with disabilities that provide them with opportunities to network, exchange views, create innovative business focused solutions and continue professional growth and development. L’ORÉAL’s Global Policy favours the professional insertion of persons with disabilities in the company and it focuses on five priorities: infrastructures, maintenance in employment, recruitment, subcontracting and partnerships. SAMSUNG operates, in collaboration with the Korean Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training affiliated with the Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled, customised training programs for persons with disabilities in the electrical and electronic fields. In addition to that, more and more companies include the employment of persons with disabilities in their sustainability or corporate social responsibility reporting. A 2014 ILO study of 40 Multinational Enterprises’ Sustainability reporting found that although disability tended to be poorly reflected in reporting, this did not always imply the absence of strategies or initiatives on disability. In fact, the study revealed that many business enterprises were active in addressing disability but did not report on the initiatives taken, and that this might have been the case due to the absence of indicators on disability following reporting standards at the time.
Achieving equality and non-discrimination is a necessary foundation for enabling progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its premise to “leave no-one behind”. Equality and non-discrimination are reflected directly in such SDGs and targets as SDG 10 on reducing inequality within and among countries, SDG 5 on gender equality, and SDG Target 16.b on promoting and enforcing non-discriminatory laws and policies, as well as being cross-cutting for the 2030 Agenda as a whole. The rights of persons with disabilities are of relevance across most of the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda. DIHR’s publication on the rights of persons with disabilities and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development outlines the detailed and extensive relevance of the 2030 Agenda with the rights of persons with disabilities.
Data disaggregation is the main approach suggested in the 2030 Agenda to monitor unequal progress for different population groups. The 2030 Agenda includes a specific target (SDG 17.18) to, by 2020, enhance capacity-building and significantly increase the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts. There are significant challenges associated with data disaggregation as well as a significant lack of data. Businesses can help fill some of these gaps through their reporting on relevant issues.
Strand 1: Training in the Field of Business and Human Rights
Action Point 1.5 [pages 31-32]
The Ministry of Social Development will:
Through the Division of Public-Private Cooperation, include the focus on business, human rights and sustainable development in training activities about Public Incentives to Benefit Social Development by means of:
Train public and private business enterprises to include inclusive for disabled people in inductions and training programmes.
Organise seminars to public services and bodies, business enterprises and the civil society to address subject concerning disability. Also, a course about Human Rights and Disability will be given at universities, and outreach actions will be carried out involving public services and bodies, business enterprises and the civil society
Strand 3: Inclusion and Non-Discrimination
Action Point 3.2 [page 37]
The Ministry of Social Development will:
Prepare, through the Division of Social Policy of the Under-Secretariat of Social Evaluation, a statistical report about the socio-economic situation of risk groups including… disabled people…, based on the Socio-Economic Qualification (SEQ) including income generated by work, capital and pensions, contained in the Household Social Register, divided by territory (regional division). This has the purpose of having available information regarding vulnerable groups within certain territory
Promote, through the National Disability Service, the labour insertion of people with disabilities by taking the following specific steps:
The Programme +Capaz en Línea Especializada para Personas con Discapacidad, will be executed and adapted in conjunction with the National Training and Employment Service (Sence).
An initiative to strengthen the work of Municipal Offices for Labour Intermediation (OMIL) will be carried out to attend people with disabilities – through a Local Development Strategy.
Create an Inter-Sectoral Board aimed at urging mass media, including digital media, to be accessible to people with disabilities (by using sign language, captions, making reading easier, access to information or images for people with sight disabilities.)
Strand 5: Public Contracts
Action Point 5.4 [page 44]
The Ministry of Social Development will:
The National Disability Service will review the operation of Guideline 17 about inclusive public purchases that promote equal opportunities in the public marketplace, with the purpose to improve its enforcement in line with the Guiding Principles.
Approach to persons with disabilities: Firstly, it is important to understand that under the Convention persons with disabilities are: “those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others”. The Plan’s approach to disability is based on the social model of disability which mentions that: The notion of a person with disability from this model is based, beyond the functional diversity of people, on the limitations of society itself. In this way, a distinction is made between what is commonly referred to as “impairment” and what is understood as “disability”.
VIII. FUNDAMENTAL PILLARS
i. Fundamental Pillar 1: The State’s obligation to protect human rights
(…)
Strand 4 [Eje nº 4]: Promoting inclusion and non-discrimination in business activity
(…)
The Ministry of Telecommunications [Mintic] will enhance the relay centre as a two-way communication service platform that allows deaf and hearing people to communicate with each other.
2. Non-Judicial Mechanisms – At the International Level
2.3 The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights [page 56]
… This protocol introduces a procedure for individuals or groups seeking to establish their rights under the Covenant, after exhausting all domestic remedies, to submit communications to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. … Communications can also be submitted to … the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities …
Objective 25.9.1: Ensure accordance between construction legislation and human rights protection standards (including standards ensuring adaptive environment for persons with disabilities).
Objective indicator: Prepared and initiated to the Parliament of Georgia project of “Georgian code of Construction and Spatial Planning”.
Activity: Initiating package of amendments in construction legislation.
Responsible agency: Human Rights Secretariat of the Administration of the Government; Ministry of Economy and sustainable development of Georgia.
No partnership agency.
Objective 25.19.1: Ensure implementation of necessary actions for ratifying additional minutes of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Objective indicator: National legislation brought into accordance.
Activity: Bringing national legislation in accordance with additional minutes of international convention.
Responsible agency: Ministry of Economy and sustainable development of Georgia.
The Federal Government will also take specific action to step up its wide-ranging commitment to the protection of human rights defenders when applying the UN Guiding Principles. In the field of business and human rights, as elsewhere, development policy is about standing up for the rights of vulnerable groups, such as …persons with disabilities.
“the second Italian NAP-BHR intends to strengthen the application of the UNGPs through a series of complementary measures, referring in particular to the following guidelines:
– the commitment to update and improve collective action in relation to multiple human rights issues from the perspective of protecting the ‘most vulnerable’ (women and girls, minors, persons with disabilities, LGBTIQ+ persons, migrants and asylum seekers, persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities, the elderly), with the aim to empower their role and involvement as right-holders, where individual aspects related to business activities may have a significant impact on these categories from a labour and economic point of view.” (p. 7)
II. Premises
c) National Priorities
“the following national priorities of the second National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights are formulated:
5. Strengthening of measures to prevent and combat all forms of exploitation in the labour sector, both public and private, infering vulnerable groups as victims, with particular reference to women, minors, persons with disabilities and lgbtiq+ people” (p. 11)
IV. Italian ongoing activities and future commitments
Vulnerable groups: persons with disabilities
“Within the Italian legal system, Law No. 68/1999 is the main national legislation aimed at promoting the insertion and labour integration of persons with disabilities into the labour sector through supporting services for targeted placement.
For data collection and monitoring, pursuant to Art. 21 of the aforementioned Law, the Minister of Labour and Social Policies submits to the Parliament every two years a report on the state of implementation of Law No. 68/1999, based on regional data. In fact, Regions and Autonomous Provinces are entrusted with the operational management of services for the integration of persons with disabilities, while the coordination of management is charged by the National Agency for Active Labour Policies (ANPAL).
In the 9th Report to Parliament on the state of implementation of Law No. 68/1999, covering the three-year period 2016-2018 and carried out in collaboration with the National Institute for the Analysis of Public Policies (INAPP), data relating to the performance of the labour market of persons with disabilities are provided. The Report shows an employment growth throughout the national territory, accompanied by still diffused infrastructural gaps, but governance systems able to achieve good results when approaching the problem through models of integration of services and financial resources.
(…)
Persons with disabilities placed in the labour market with public and private employers reported in 2016 were 28,412; they became 34,613 in 2017 and 39,229 in 2018. The private sector absorbs 96% of the total in the full three-year period. These numbers testify the engagement of the system, also considering the simplification of processes introduced: Legislative Decree No. 151/2015, which requires private employers, who employ 15 to 35 employees, to hire a worker with disability. This obligation came into force in 2018, while previously it arose only in the case of new hires.
(…)
Among the tasks of the National Observatory the preparation of the two-year Action Programme for the promotion of the rights and integration of persons with disabilities is foreseen.
On July 10, 2019, the “Document of Proposals for the Activities of the National Observatory on the Condition of Persons with Disabilities” was published, prepared by the Scientific Technical Committee and divided into 9 thematic areas and 13 working groups. The main objectives are:
– establish an effective coordination mechanism among all ministries and public agencies that allows for the application of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in all areas of governmental competence;
– select a number of actions, within the second two-year action programme for the promotion of the rights and integration of people with disabilities, to be reasonably achievable during the period of the Centre’s activity;
– coordinate the implementation of the second two-year programme, the Concluding Observations of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the contents of the Disability Code, on the basis of commitment contained in the PNRR, by initiating a number of actions for the effective implementation of the aforementioned United Nations Convention.
About relevant government policies to improve the participation of persons with disabilities in the workforce, it should be noted that Legislative Decree No. 151/2015 introduced some provisions aimed at rationalizing and revising the procedures and fulfilments of targeted insertion of persons referred to Law No. 68/1999 and other subjects entitled to compulsory placement, in order to promote social inclusion, placing and integration into the labour market and taking care of skills of persons with disabilities. In particular, the adoption of specific guidelines on the targeted placement of persons with disabilities envisages to promote:
– an integrated network among social, health, educational and training services on the territory, as well as with INAIL for the accompaniment and support of the person with disabilities taken in charge;
– territorial agreements with trade unions of workers and employers that are more representative on a national level, social cooperatives referred to in Law No. 381/1991, associations of persons with disabilities and their families, as well as with other third sector organizations;
– bio-psycho-social assessment of the condition of disability;
– job analysis and reasonable accommodation;
– the creation of the role of the responsible for job placement;
– good practices of job inclusion.
Among the Italian national policies aimed at promoting the employment of persons with more severe disabilities, there are incentives for employers who hire workers with disabilities, financed through the Fund for the right to work of the persons with disabilities, established by Art. 13, paragraph 4, of Law No. 68/1999, at the Ministry of Labour. Employers are granted an incentive in relation to taxable gross salary for social security purposes, which varies according to the degree and type of working capacity reduction of the hired person. The duration of the contributory benefit also varies according to the characteristics of the hired worker and the type of employment relationship.
(…)
In particular, for employers who hire persons with disabilities for an indefinite employment contract there are incentives for 36 months for the recruitment of workers with a reduction in working capacity from 67% (the incentive is equal to 35% of the gross monthly salary); the incentive rises to 70% for the hiring of persons with a reduction in working capacity of more than 79%. The incentives are also provided (in the amount of 70% of the gross monthly salary) for a longer period of time (60 months), for the recruitment of workers with intellectual and mental disabilities. These workers are also encouraged to have fixed-term hiring of not less than twelve months.” (p. 26)
The principle of Diversity management in the business context
“With reference to the need to draw attention to impacts of business activity on family life and children’s rights, the Department for Family Policies published the new public call “#Conciliamo”, amounting to € 74 million, on 8 November 2019 for family-work reconciliation projects by companies, networks and groups of associated or controlled companies. Available funds will be used for interventions that promote a welfare tailored to families and to improve the quality of life of working mothers and fathers. The call has several specific objectives: the demographic revival, increase in female employment, rebalancing of workloads between men and women, support for families with relatives with disabilities, health protection, combating the abandonment of the elderly.”
ANNEX 1 – Accountability Grid and Assessment Tools for the Implementation of the NAP
“7. Fully implement the provisions contained in the new legislation on Development Cooperation, with particular focus on the relationship between for-profit and not-for-profit actors and promote the widest knowledge among companies of the Guidelines on Childhood and Adolescence, the Cooperation Guidelines on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, Girls and Children (2020-2024) and the Guidelines on Disability and Social Inclusion in Cooperation Interventions.” (p. 62)
“8. Continue to implement the provisions contained in the Second Disability Action Programme, with particular reference to line 5 “Labour and Employment” and to provisions concerning the definition of support measures and a system of incentives for first and second level bargaining over flexibility, part-time work and work-life balance for persons with disabilities or serious and chronic progressive illnesses or caregivers of persons with serious disabilities.” (p. 62)
“9. Promote the employment inclusion of persons with disabilities with attention to persons with disabilities with more severe disabling conditions.” (p. 62)
“10. Consolidate respect for the fundamental rights of people with disabilities in line with international conventional standards in relation to access to and quality of hospital care through the promotion and dissemination of the “Charter of Rights of People with Disabilities in Hospital” created by the Coop. Sociale Onlus Spes contra Spem in 2010.” (p. 62)
“42. Preparation – by and/or in collaboration with the Inter-ministerial Committee for Human Rights – of spaces and activities for awareness raising and training on human rights and business (with particular attention to the so-called vulnerable categories (women, minors, persons with disabilities, LGBTIQ+ persons, minorities, migrants, etc.) designed as tools for support to businesses and public officials. These tools may consist in the preparation of governmental webpages to host dedicated information material, as well as in the development of campaigns, surveys, e-learning modules and ad hoc seminars. The latter will be defined in relation to specific competences and activities of each Ministry, as well as in constant dialogue with local authorities and all stakeholders who wish to take part in these initiatives” (p. 67)
E. Equality before the Law (Persons with Disabilities, Women, Persons of Diverse Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, and Other Groups)
(Existing framework/Measures taken）
The Constitution of Japan sets forth the principle of equality before the law and there shall be no discrimination in political, economic or social relations because of race, creed, sex, social status or family origin. Various laws have prohibited discrimination, as stated below.
With respect to persons with disabilities, the Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Act No. 65 of 2013, hereinafter referred to as the “Disability Discrimination Act”) prohibits governments and businesses from engaging in unfair discriminatory treatment on the grounds of disability, and prescribes that they are required to provide reasonable accommodation (companies must endeavor to provide reasonable accommodation). The Act on Employment Promotion Etc. of Persons with Disabilities (Act No. 123 of 1960) prohibits businesses from taking discriminatory measures in the area of employment based on disability and requires provision of reasonable accommodation.
(…)
In the area of employment, Article 22 of the Constitution of Japan prescribes that “every person shall have freedom to … choose his occupation to the extent that it does not interfere with the public welfare.” In addition, the freedom of choice of occupation is guaranteed in both the Employment Security Act (Act No. 141 of 1947), which prescribes that “every person may freely choose any job, provided that it does not conflict with the public welfare,” and the Mariners’ Employment Security Act (Act No. 130 of 1948), which prescribes that “every person may freely choose occupation as a mariner on an appropriate vessel corresponding to the person’s ability and license or certificate in possession, or qualifications based on trainings received or experience.”
Unfair or discriminatory treatment against particular users is prohibited within the areas of residence, places or services intended for public use (hotels, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, and use of transportation).
(Future measures planned)
(a) Promote barrier-free and universal design
Promote initiatives, including various public relations and awareness-raising activities based on the Disability Discrimination Act. [Cabinet Office]
Promote accessibility across Japan by preparing and distributing a nationally consistent reception manual and implementing training for transportation, tourism, logistics restaurants and industries, and other industries.[Japan Tourism Agency]
Raise the level of barrier-free standards across Japan through steady implementation of the Act for Partial Revision of the Act on Promotion of Smooth Transportation, Etc. of Elderly Persons, Disabled Persons, Etc. (Act No.28 of 2020), such as the revision of Transport Accessibility Standards and Guidelines, and the revision of the Design Guidelines of Buildings for Users with Accessibility Needs. [Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism]
Implement various human rights awareness-raising activities to realize a society of coexistence with mutual respect for individuality and character regardless of disability. [Ministry of Justice]
(b）Promote employment of persons with disabilities
Promote initiatives to increase opportunities for persons with disabilities to play an active role as a measure introduced under the Revised Act on Employment Promotion Etc. of Persons with Disabilities of 2019. As a measure for the public services sector, this includes making it incumbent on persons with appointive power at national and local government agencies to prepare and publish the Guidelines for Formulation of the Plan on Promoting Dynamic Engagement of Persons with Disabilities. As a measure for employers in the private sector, this includes the establishment of an accreditation system for SMEs with excellent initiatives concerning employment of persons with disabilities, and a special benefits system for employers who employ part-time workers whose weekly working hours are within a certain range. [Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare]
In employment of persons with disabilities, consideration will be given to individuals who are vulnerable to intersectional human rights violations, such as women with disabilities. [Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare]
(2) Measures of the Government as an Actor regarding State Duty to Protect Human Rights
A. Public Procurement
（ Existing framework/Measures taken）
As measures that have already been conducted, the public procurement procedures have been implemented appropriately, including the implementation of international commitments, in accordance with various laws and regulations, including the Public Accounting Act (Act No. 35 of 1947).
In particular, the Government has promoted enhanced awareness by companies for respecting human rights and the environment in accordance with the Act on Promotion of Procurement of Goods and Services from Disability Employment Facilities by the State and Other Entities (Act No. 50 of 2012, hereinafter referred to as the “Act on Priority Procurement Promotion for Persons with Disabilities”), the Women’s Participation Act, the Act on Prevention of Unjust Acts by Organized Crime Group Members (Act No.77 of 1991), and the Act on Promotion of Procurement of Eco-Friendly Goods and Services by the State and Other Entities (Act No. 100 of 2000, hereinafter referred to as the “Act on Promoting Green Procurement”).
(…)
（Future measures planned）
Thoroughly implement procurement rules relevant to business and human rights, including grievance procedures (initiatives based on Act on Priority Procurement Promotion for Persons with Disabilities, initiatives related to public procurement based on Article 24 of the Women’s Participation Act, and initiatives concerning exclusion of organized crime groups)
Continue to promote the self-reliance of persons with disabilities working at the facilities for persons with disabilities and of those working at home through steady implementation of the Act on Priority Procurement Promotion for Persons with Disabilities. [All Ministries]
B. Development Cooperation and Development Finance
(Existing framework/Measures taken）
…. When engaging in development cooperation projects, internationally established human rights standards, including the international human rights treaties, have been respected. Particular attention has been paid to human rights of socially vulnerable groups, such as … persons with disabilities,…. Nevertheless, further efforts are required in this regard.
(4) Measures regarding Access to Remedy
Judicial and Non-Judicial Remedy
（ Existing framework/Measures taken）
(…)
Non-judicial remedies such as the following have been established: consulting services based on individual legislation (e.g., workers, persons with disabilities, consumers);
(…)
As measures based on specific legislation, frameworks have been established in specific areas, including for workers and persons with disabilities.
(…)
(Future measures planned)
(…)
(g) Continue and reinforce measures, including those based on specific legislation (for workers, persons with disabilities, and foreign workers, including technical intern trainees, and for whistleblower protection)
In accordance with the Technical Intern Training Act, continue to report to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency and the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare. Provide counseling by the Organization for Technical Intern Training to technical intern trainees in their native languages, and support transfer of workplace when human rights violations occur and technical intern trainees find it difficult to undertake training. [Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare]
Given the wide range of business-related human rights concerns, the NSC identified five themes, prioritised by stakeholders, as the focus of this NAP. These are: land and natural resources, revenue transparency, environmental protection, labour rights and access to remedy. Additionally, there was recognition that certain groups are disproportionately impacted by businesses. In this regard issues of gender, the situation of vulnerable, marginalised and minority groups such as persons with disabilities (PWDs), indigenous groups, were identified as cross cutting issues to be addressed under each of the themes.
CHAPTER TWO: SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS AND THEMATIC AREAS OF FOCUS
2.6 Labour [Page 12]
It is imperative that the labour market is regulated to ensure compliance with constitutional, legal and international standards. Several SDGs and ILO core conventions cover various aspects of working conditions including decent work and economic growth, reduction of inequality, quality education and gender equality. The SDG targets include: [..] 4.5 (eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations); […] and 8.5 (achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value). […]
Other constitutional rights related to labour include Article 30 which prohibits slavery, servitude and forced labour and Article 27 which guarantees equality and freedom from discrimination, specifically including the equal rights of women and men to opportunities in the economic sphere and the dictate that no person shall discriminate against another person directly or indirectly on grounds including […] disability […].
2.7 Access to Remedy [Pages 13-14]
[…] [T]here are a number of legislative provisions regulating business conduct to protect those within Kenya’s jurisdiction from business-related human rights violations. Protection against discrimination on the ground of HIV/AIDS status, for example, covers those in employment. The same applies to the protection of discrimination against persons with disabilities, women and marginalised groups.
CHAPTER THREE: POLICY ACTIONS
3.1 Pillar 1: The State Duty to Protect [Pages 16-17]
Policy Actions
The Government will:
viii. Develop procedural guidelines for use by businesses, individuals and communities in their negotiations for land access and acquisition. These guidelines will ensure and safeguard the participation of women, persons living with disabilities, youth, children and other marginalised groups;
3.2. Pillar 2: Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights [Pages 18-19]
Policy Actions
a) Training: Develop and disseminate guidance for businesses on their duty to respect human rights and the operationalisation of this duty in the Kenyan context, including the implications of their operations on the environment, gender, human rights defenders, minorities, persons living with disabilities, marginalised and other vulnerable groups to promote responsible labour practices and inclusivity.
3.3. Pillar 3: Access to Remedy
B) Non- State-Based Grievance Mechanisms [Page 21]
Policy Actions
The Government will:
Develop and disseminate guidance for businesses on the establishment of credible operational-level grievance mechanisms that are consistent with international standards. Such grievance mechanisms should be responsive to the needs and rights of vulnerable groups such as women, persons with disabilities, children and indigenous persons;
CHAPTER FOUR: IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING [Page 22]
To ensure that the measures proposed in this NAP are implemented, there shall be a NAP steering committee overseen by the Department of Justice and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. The Implementing Committee will consist of representatives from the following institutions:
4. Three (3) Civil Society Organizations Representatives of persons living with disabilities, women and indigenous persons
Objective 1: Ensuring State’s duty to protect, defend and respect human rights
C. Measures related to research and training on non-discrimination and other human rights [page 2]
Promotion of employment of persons with disabilities. The National Programme on Social Integration for persons with disabilities for 2013-2019, approved by Resolution No 1408 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of 21 November 2012, aims to create a harmonious environment for the effective development and social integration of persons with disabilities in Lithuania and to ensure the implementation of national legislation relating to the social integration of persons with disabilities and their equal opportunities, and of the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Measures foreseen:
to organise training of the employers with a view to encourage their social responsibility as regards employment of persons with disabilities.
‘Luxembourg’s NAP does not explicitly address this issue’
The 2020-22 NAP states the second edition of the National Action Plan complements the first NAP. Additional information about the first NAP can be found here.
CHAPTER II. Actions to improve the duty of the state in protecting human rights
14. Create an inclusive and disability-friendly environment and support disabled people to become an active member of the economic sector
Actions and measures to be implemented:
Guarantee the implementation of the provisions of 144.1 to 144.4 of the Labour Code, which require all enterprises with 25 or more employees to employ persons with disabilities, in all enterprises, regardless of their form of ownership.
Time frame: 2023-2025
Criteria: Number of enterprises employing people with disabilities or purchasing products and services related to the employment of people with disabilities
Implementing organisations: MLSP [Ministry o Labour and Social Protection], General Secretariat of the Development of Disabled Persons, General Secretariat of the Labour and Social Service, Mongolian Employers’ Association (MEA), MNCCI [Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry], Governors of all levels.
Increase opportunities to provide support for small and medium-sized enterprises employing people with disabilities through financial loans and premiums.
Time frame: 2023-2025
Criteria: The conditions and criteria for the granting of loans to disabled persons by the Foundation for the Promotion of SMEs
Implementing organisations: MoF [Ministry of Finance], MoFALI [Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry].
Coordinate training on knowledge of the rights of persons with disabilities for all enterprises that have 25 or more employees.
Time frame: 2023-2025
Criteria: Numbers of the enterprises participated in the trainings
Implementing organisations: MLSP, General Secretariat of the Development of Disabled Persons General Secretariat of the Labour and Social Service Mongolian employers’ association Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Governors of all levels.
To ensure access for all disabled people to the entrances of the buildings of the major commercial centres and public services, all public places are classified and an inclusivity assessment of their infrastructure and dissemination of knowledge will be carried out by a professional organisation.
Time frame: 2023-2024
Criteria: Numbers of the companies that were evaluated
Implementing organisations: Ministry of Road and Transport Development (MRTD) Ministry of Road and Transport Development Ministry of Digital Development and Communications MLSP General Secretariat of the Development of Disabled Persons
Jointly implementing organisations: Mongolian employers’ association Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Governors of all levels.
Prepare and implement specific plan and measures according to the inclusivity assessment
Time frame: 2024-2025
Criteria: Implementation of the adopted plan
Implementing organisations: Ministry of Construction and Urban Development (MCUD) Ministry of Road and Transport Development (MRTD) Ministry of Digital Development and Communications MLSP General Secretariat of the Development of Disabled Persons
Jointly implementing organisations: Mongolian employers’ association Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Governors of all levels
Chapter THREE Actions to improve the responsibilities of business enterprises to respect human rights
5. Take actions to promotion of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the 159th Convention of the International Labor Organization on Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities, the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Law on Labor, and the Law on Employment Promotion
Actions and measures to be implemented:
Develop training programmes and organise training and advocacy activities.
Time frame: 2023-2025
Criteria: The number of training programmes, courses, and public events
Implementing organisations: MLSP, GADPWD [General Authority for Development of Persons with Disabilities], GALWS, MONEF [Mongolian Employers’ Federation], MNCCI, Governors of all levels.
The Nigeria NAP provides a list of existing constitutional obligations, domestic legislation, internation obligations, and police and administrative steps. This breakdown only looks at the list of challenges and the implementation of the 3 pillars of the UNGPs.
The Nigerian NAP on Business and Human Rights does not address Persons with disabilities.
CHAPTER 3: National Action Plan Priority Areas and Proposed Actions
3.2. NAP Priority Areas
3.2.2. Anti-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Inclusion (page 19)
‘As established during the NBA and consultative process, the discriminatory treatment in business activity of women and vulnerable or marginalised groups, including […] Persons with Disabilities […] remains an ongoing challenge.’
Proposed Actions
Federal and provincial (page 21)
‘19. Strengthen existing, and develop where required, civil remedies for discriminatory action based on […] disability […] or any other factor.
Performance indicator(s): (i) Number of remedies developed or strengthened
UN Guiding Principle(s): 25, 26, 29
Relevant SDG(s): Goal 5 – Gender Equality; Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth; Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities; Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions’
This information is also covered under Appendix 1: Implementation Plan, Proposed Action 19 designating the Ministry of Human Rights and the Ministry of Law and Justice as Leading Entities, and designating the Federal and Provincial Commissions on the Status of Women, the Ministry of Commerce, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, the Provincial Human Rights Departments, the Provincial Women Welfare Departments, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistani and Human Development, the Federal and Provincial Ombudspersons against Harassment of Women at the Workplace, CSOs, NGOs and the Business Community as Additional Entities (page 50).
Provincial (page 23)
‘27. Build, or further strengthen existing, partnerships with and facilitate businesses to increase disability inclusion in business activity and at the workplace.
Performance indicator(s): (i) Number of partnerships and activities with businesses on disability inclusion
UN Guiding Principle(s): 2, 3, 8, 11, 12
Relevant SDG(s): Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth; Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities’
This information is also covered under Appendix 1: Implementation Plan, Proposed Action 27 designating the Provincial Special Education Departments, the Provincial Social Welfare Departments, the Provincial Bait-ul-Maal Departments and Bodies for Persons with Disabilities as Leading Entities, and designating the Provincial Human Rights Departments, the Provincial Education Departments, the Provincial Labour Departments, the Provincial Law Departments, the Provincial Management and Professional Development Departments, the Provincial Planning and Development Department and the Provincial Health Departments as Additional Entities (page 54).
3.2.4. Labour Standards and the Informal Economy (page 28)
‘Pakistan has also ratified several ILO Conventions that require States to protect the rights of workers, eradicate child labour, forced labour or any forms of modern slavery. These conventions also require States to […] and habilitation of disabled workers etc. […]’
ANNEX II | Actions Already Undertaken by Pakistan
B | Measures Relevant to NAP Priority Areas
i. Anti-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Inclusion
a) Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups and Marginalised Communities in Workplace
ICT (page 78)
‘The ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Act was enacted in 2020.’
Punjab (page 78)
‘The Disabled Persons (Employment and Rehabilitation) Ordinance 1981 applies in Punjab and provides support to Persons with Disabilities to find employment and be treated equally at places of work.
[…]
The Provincial Council for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons has the mandate to safeguard the rights of Persons with Disabilities. This includes the creation of policies which encourage anti[1]discriminatory laws in all spheres, including non-discrimination in employment.’
Sindh (page 78)
‘Section 8 of the Sindh Differently Abled Persons (Employment, Rehabilitation and Welfare) Act 2014 stipulates that not less than 2% of the total number of persons employed must be Persons with Disabilities.’
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (page 79)
‘The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Disabled Persons (Employment and Rehabilitation) Amendment Act, 2012 focuses on the regulation and introduction of laws and practices that curb anti-discrimination against Persons with Disabilities in employment and emphasizes the need to ensure equal opportunities for such individuals as well.
[…]
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Labour Policy 2018 affirmed that Persons with Disabilities will be mainstreamed in all economic sectors, barriers for their participation in economic activities will be removed, their accessibility will be increased at all educational, vocational and workplace institutions and their achievements will be highlighted at all levels. The quota of Persons with Disabilities and facilitation in employment as protected under Disabled Persons (Employment & Rehabilitation) Ordinance, 1981 will strictly be observed in all the industrial and commercial establishments of the Province.’
Balochistan (page 80)
‘The Balochistan Assembly has introduced the Persons with Disabilities Act 2017 which requires the Government to ensure that Persons with Disabilities are given equal opportunities to pursue their economic, social, and cultural rights. To eliminate discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, the Act mandates a 5 percent quota for employment which applies to corporate entities as well.’
CHAPTER I : PROCESS OF ELABORATING THE FIRST NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
1.2. Methodology: Peer-to-peer dialogue as the basis of the NAP
Management by results favors that the NAP complies with the requirement of mainstreaming the human rights approach and its complementary approaches (Minjusdh, 2019), which are the following:
Disability perspective: evaluates social relations considering the needs and interests of people with disabilities; and considers disability as the product of the interaction between the sensory, physical, intellectual, or mental deficiencies of people and the different barriers imposed by society, addressing the multidimensional nature of the problem of exclusion and discrimination that affects them and committing the State and society to take measures to eliminate them, in order to ensure their full and effective participation in society, without discrimination and on equal terms. – page 16
CHAPTER III DIAGNOSIS AND BASELINE: ACTION AREAS
3.2. Conclusions of the specific issues
People with disabilities
According to the National Multisectoral Policy on Disability for Development to 2030, structural dis- crimination against persons with disabilities is a public problem that transcends and is independent of individual discriminatory actions; and that, in addition, it is part of a process of accumulation of disadvantages and has social implications in the areas of enjoyment of rights and reproduction of social inequality.25 In Peruvian culture, people with disabilities are still perceived from the medical standpoint, i.e., disability is in the person and not in the social barriers, which does not allow reducing inequality gaps. This situation of disadvantage is greater in the case of women. In addition, there is not enough information on the labor supply for people with disabilities, which is a barrier to promoting job offers in accordance with their abilities and skills. The State has the duty to reduce the educational and training gaps of people with disabilities and to optimize their training conditions, in order to guarantee access to employability opportunities.
It is necessary that all companies follow those that already include in their human rights policy a reference to non-discrimination towards people with disabilities, also respecting international standards in this regard. Companies should implement communication and information mechanisms in formats accessible to people with disabilities. Access to employment should involve a selection process under equal conditions, equitable hiring, including the corresponding reasonable adjustments. It is also advisable to implement a support plan for workers who acquire a disability that includes early identification, facilitating reasonable adjustments to personnel who acquire a disability, and their reintegration into their jobs. The existence of sanctioning processes does not contemplate reparation mechanisms for human rights violations of persons with disabilities. – page 47
Table 8: NAP strategic guidelines and objectives, and alignment with the axes of the Peru Vision 2050
Strategic guideline No. 1: Promotion and dissemination of a culture of respect for human rights in the business environment in accordance with the framework of international standards of the guiding principles and other international instruments.
Objective 2: Organized civil society (members of civil society organizations, trade unions, and indigenous peoples) are aware of and promote the implementation of the guiding principles and other related international instruments in their activities.
9.
Action: Guarantee the rights, especially the rights to equality and non- discrimination, of specially protected groups (LGBTI, the elderly, people with disabilities, women, migrants, Afro- Peruvians, indigenous peoples) in consumer relations.
Background: Special protection groups (LGBTI, elderly people, people with disabilities, women, migrants, Afro-Peruvians) require the State to adopt measures that guarantee their right to fair and equitable treatment in consumer relations and not to be discriminated against on the basis of origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, etc., in the products and services offered.
Indicator: Number of training activities on equality and non- discrimination in consumption and/ or advertising for suppliers and/or consumers. – page 62
Objective No. 3: Review, design, and adoption of national plans and programs to guarantee human rights in the framework of business activities.
52.
Action: Raise awareness and promote the rights of persons with disabilities in the media.
Background: It is a tool to help the media and its professionals to create a responsible image of disability, respectful of diversity that favors awareness and social inclusion.
Indicator: Guide to facilitate the development and dissemination of content on disability in the media. – page 90
53.
Action: Incorporate the human rights approach, taking into consideration the GP-BHR and other international standards, in public policy related to the issue of persons with disabilities.
Background: Public management policies, plans, and programs should consider the human rights approach and its complementary approaches (gender, disability, intercultural, age, territorial, and differential) in their design, elaboration, and implementation, taking into consideration the HR-PR and other international standards in public policies.
Indicator: Study on the incorporation of the human rights and disability approach in the employment of people with disabilities. – page 91
Strategic guideline No. 3: Design of public policies that promote respect for human rights by companies through accountability, investigation, and sanction for the impacts of their activities.
Objective 1: Promote policies and/or standards that guarantee respect for human rights in business activities.
59.
Action: Ensure reasonable adjustments in access, environment, and work performance for people with disabilities.
Background: Reasonable adjustments facilitate access to and movement in the workplace for workers with disabilities, their work development, access to induction, training, and promotion programs in employment, under conditions of equality with other workers, and are therefore mandatory for employers in the public and private sectors.
Indicator: Number of inspections related to reasonable adjustments. – page 96
60.
Action: To guarantee equal access to work and work performance for people with disabilities.
Background: The MTPE, regional governments, and municipalities promote the adoption, by public and private employers, of good employment practices for persons with disabilities. Likewise, job training, updating, placement, and employment programs incorporate in their design, components, strategies, or specialized methodologies to adapt the provision of their services to the needs and characteristics of the various types of disabilities, in order to optimize their effectiveness.
Indicator: Number of job openings for people with disabilities; Number of private companies that hire people with disabilities; Technical guide for the labor inclusion of people with disabilities. – page 98
Objective No. 2: Technical assistance to companies for the observance of human rights in their business activities
72.
Action: Promote the rights and non-discrimination of special protection groups (elderly people, Afro-Peruvians, people with disabilities, women, LGBTI people, migrants) in advertising and the media.
Background: Media companies have a responsibility to promote and respect the rights of specially protected groups (elderly people, Afro- Peruvians, people with disabilities, women, LGBTI people, migrants), since, through the content of their programming, they make visible or make invisible certain aspects of society, reinforcing narratives that benefit or harm this population group.
Indicator: Number of informative letters sent to market agents. – page 109
2. Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy
Regulations on European Funds
[page 6]
“As in the years 2014-2020, projects implemented under national and regional Operational Programmes will have to contribute to ensuring equal opportunities for different target groups and thus comply with the applicable national and EU law. Currently, works are underway on the detailed provisions of the regulations relating to EU funds and setting out the directions for activities in this respect.”
Accessibility Plus Programme
[page 8]
“In the years 2021-2027, initiatives launched in previous years will be continued.(…) Plans are also in place to renew competitions for entrepreneurs related to the popularisation of products meeting the needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities.”
Directive 2019/882 of 17 April 2019 on the accessibility requirements for products and services
[page 8-9]
“In 2019, Directive 2019/882 of 17 April 2019 on the accessibility requirements for products and services (European Accessibility Act, EAA) entered into force. (…) The Directive is the first EU instrument to address accessibility in a comprehensive and horizontal way. Its scope is broad, covering products and services deemed as the most relevant to the daily lives of persons with disabilities and for which Member States have adopted or could adopt divergent national accessibility requirements, which would distort the functioning of the internal market. The Directive aims to ensure that common accessibility rules are applied by economic operators (both private and public) in order to provide greater certainty to economic transactions while helping to avoid social exclusion caused by inaccessible products and services. The Directive is also intended to implement the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”
(…)
“The beneficiaries of the Directive are:
1. Persons with disabilities – defined in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – are the group of persons directly benefiting from the EAA”
3. Ministry of Economic Development and Technology
Development of new technical and construction conditions for buildings
[page 14]
“The scope of the regulation will include, among others, the introduction of provisions aimed at facilitating access to buildings and related facilities by persons with various types of disabilities, which will certainly exert an additional positive impact on other social groups such as older persons, carers with young children or persons with temporary motor dysfunctions.”
4.Ministry of Family and Social Policy
The first Polish Strategy for Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030
[page 17-20]
“In 2020, a draft Strategy for Persons with Disabilities was developed in the Ministry of Family and Social Policy. On 25 February 2021, Resolution No 27 of the Council of Ministers of 16 February 2021 on the adoption of the document ‘Strategy for Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030’ was published in the Official Journal of the Republic of Poland ‘Monitor Polski’ under item 218. The Resolution entered into force 14 days following its announcement. The development and adoption of the Strategy for Persons with Disabilities fulfils one of the basic horizontal conditions for the financing of the EU Cohesion Policy in 2021-2027, namely the implementation and application of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, by way of establishing a framework for a comprehensive national policy for persons with disabilities in line with its provisions. The development of the Strategy for Persons with Disabilitiesalso follows from the provisions of the Strategy for Responsible Development for the period up to 2020 (including the perspective up to 2030), adopted by way of Resolution of the Council of Ministers of 14 February 2017. The key objective of the Strategy for Persons with Disabilities is the inclusion of persons with various types of disabilities in social and professional life, thus guaranteeing them the rights enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The document provides for a comprehensive, horizontal, cross-sectoral approach of public policy to support persons with disabilities, taking into account their needs in the sphere of independent life and social inclusion.
The document identifies eight priority areas of the Strategy.
Within the first of the priority areas, namely ‘Independent life’, the actions planned seek to fulfil an overarching objective to guarantee the right to independent living to persons with disabilities under Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”
(…)
“It is important for the successful implementation of the deinstitutionalisation process that it takes place with an adequate involvement of the local community, including in particular organisations of persons with disabilities and social and solidarity economy entities (SSEE). Concomitant with the deinstitutionalisation process will be the
process of reforming entities dealing with social services, inter alia through establishing Social Services Centres. Another important factor in this respect will be facilitation of access of persons with disabilities to information on support offer available to those persons so that comprehensive, reliable and up-to-date information on this subject is provided by employees of entities dealing with social services.”
(…)
“Another priority area is ‘Accessibility’. Accessibility is one of the basic conditions for participation of persons with disabilities in social and professional life. For this group of people, it determines the possibility of performing social roles and leading an independent life. It also entails ensuring to persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, buildings, transportation, information and communications technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services. Therefore, this priority area of the Strategy provides for actions aimed at improving accessibility of public space for persons with disabilities and improving their situation in terms of mobility (pursuant to the provisions of Articles 9 and 20 of the Convention).
The basic condition for effective social and professional activation in the case of persons with disabilities is also access to the educational system, hence ‘Education’ priority is another key area. Measures in this area will serve implementation of provisions of Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which indicates the obligation to realise the right of persons with disabilities to education without discrimination and on the basis of equal opportunity, while ensuring an inclusive educational system.
It provides for, among others, the following measures:
development of inclusive education, including development of legislative and organisational
solutions aimed at ensuring accessibility and enhancing the quality of inclusive education,
preparation for entering the labour market inter alia through supporting the process of transition between the educational stages and transition from the educational system to the labour market
development of professional counselling for young people,
development and ensuring to pupils and students with disabilities forms of communication
adequate to their needs, including popularisation in education of the possibility of using augmentative and alternative communication methods (AAC),
digitalisation of schools,
development of lifelong learning.
Another priority area of the Strategy is ‘Work’. Within this area, there are measures envisaged to foster greater professional activity of persons with disabilities and enhance possibilities of their employment in an open, inclusive and accessible work environment, pursuant to Article 27 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Measures within this area focus on:
modification and supplementation of the employment support system and professional activation of persons with disabilities, including through development and implementation of supported employment,
professional activation of persons with disabilities implemented, inter alia, through employment in social and solidarity economy entities (especially in social enterprises),
creation of work environment friendly for employees with disabilities, inter alia through working out a model of support for persons with disabilities in the work environment,
creation of environment conducive to effective professional activation of persons with disabilities through, for instance, ensuring specialised advisory in the scope of available
instruments of professional activation of persons with disabilities and in the scope of obligations of employers following from their employment for institutions of the labour market,
limitation of barriers in undertaking professional activity.
On the basis of so indicated outcomes for the Work priority area the key indicator was established as follows: Employment rate of working-age persons with disabilities, which in the base year 2018 reached the value of 26.2% and the target value is to be increased to 40% by 2030.
Another priority area of the Strategy is ‘Living conditions and social protection’. The main objective of the measures grouped under this priority, as stated in Article 28 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, is to ensure adequate living conditions for persons with disabilities and their families, including the satisfaction of basic subsistence and material needs and necessary social protection. Measures under the ‘Living Conditions and Social Protection’ priority include combating poverty of persons with disabilities and their families, as well as meeting their housing needs. Within the ‘Health’ priority area, measures have been planned in order to fulfil Poland’s obligations following from the Convention (Article 25), in particular to provide persons with disabilities with health care, access to health services and programmes taking into account their specific requirements and needs with respect to health prevention, prevention of secondary complications and deterioration of health condition, medical rehabilitation and optimisation of the quality of functioning.
(…)
The Strategy for Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030 also provides for measures in the ‘Awareness-raising’ priority, which closely correspond to Article 8 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, requiring a state party to the Convention to take immediate, effective and appropriate measures to raise awareness throughout society, including at the family level. These concern, inter alia, the mainstreaming of persons with disabilities in the media, changing the perceptions of persons with various disabilities, raising awareness of inclusive education for persons with disabilities, the introduction and dissemination of service standards for persons with various disabilities.
The last of the eight priority areas of the Strategy is ‘Coordination’. Implementation of the new state policy for supporting persons with disabilities requires appropriate institutional reform to remedy the diagnosed systemic problems. The measures designed within this priority area seek to establish a framework to ensure coherence of the system and development of cooperation between institutions dealing with problems of people with disabilities. The planned measures include, among others, reform of the disability degree certification system, development and implementation of an act on equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in the Polish legal system, coordination of systemic support for persons with disabilities, including in emergency situations, implementation of a complex system of data collection in the area of disability, greater inclusion of the disability issue in various areas of social policy, increasing protection of persons with disabilities against unequal treatment, extension of international cooperation.
Implementation of measures designed as part of priorities of the Strategy for Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030 will allow the establishment of a framework of comprehensive national policy for persons with disabilities, in line with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It will also translate into a planned increase in the activity rate and employment rate of persons with disabilities.”
4. Ministry of Family and Social Policy
The first Polish Strategy for Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030
[page 18]
“In 2020, a draft Strategy for Persons with Disabilities was developed in the Ministry of Family and Social Policy.”
(…)
“Another priority area is ‘Accessibility’. Accessibility is one of the basic conditions for participation of persons with disabilities in social and professional life. For this group of people, it determines the possibility of performing social roles and leading an independent life. It also entails ensuring to persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, buildings, transportation, information and communications technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services.
The basic condition for effective social and professional activation in the case of persons with disabilities is also access to the educational system, hence ‘Education’ priority is another key area. Measures in this area will serve implementation of provisions of Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which indicates the obligation to realise the right of persons with disabilities to education without discrimination and on the basis of equal opportunity, while ensuring an inclusive educational system.”
[page 20]
“The last of the eight priority areas of the Strategy is ‘Coordination’. Implementation of the new state policy for supporting persons with disabilities requires appropriate institutional reform to remedy the diagnosed systemic problems. The measures designed within this priority area seek to establish a framework to ensure coherence of the system and development of cooperation between institutions dealing with problems of people with disabilities. The planned measures include, among others, reform of the disability degree certification system, development and implementation of an act on equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in the Polish legal system, coordination of systemic support for persons with disabilities, including in emergency situations, implementation of a complex system of data collection in the area of disability, greater inclusion of the disability issue in various areas of social policy, increasing protection of persons with disabilities against unequal treatment, extension of international cooperation.”
10. Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sports
Implementation of the equal-treatment policy in sports
[page 28]
“The Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sports will continue to implement the policy of equal treatment in sports, ensuring that the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights are incorporated as widely as possible when planning and implementing ministerial programmes aimed at developing sports in Poland, both in grassroots and professional dimension. In particular, the following
tasks will be implemented:
1. Preparing and publishing of a report on the situation of women in sports.
2. Implementing cyclical training courses for the Ministry’s employees and the Polish sports community on equal treatment of women and men in sports. The subject matter of the training will cover a wide range of issues related to equal treatment. Examples of specific support measures for the sports environment aimed at promoting women’s sports and international examples of good practice in counteracting discrimination and promoting equal treatment will also be presented.”
2. Public Procurement Office
The new Public Procurement Law (Journal of Laws of 2021, items 1129 and 1598)
[page 33-34]
“Among the new solutions in the Public Procurement Law, which – in addition to the regulations already existing in this respect – are aimed at supporting the implementation of social policy objectives within the framework of public procurement, the following, inter alia, should be mentioned:”
(…)
“• Article 94, according to which the contracting body may stipulate in the contract notice that only economic operators having the status of a sheltered workshops, social cooperatives and other economic operators whose main purpose or main purpose of the activities of their organisational units that will perform the contract is the social and professional integration of socially marginalised persons, in particular persons with disabilities, the unemployed, jobseekers, who do not remain in employment or do not perform gainful employment, to-be self-reliant persons, persons deprived of liberty or released from prisons, persons with mental disorders, homeless persons, persons who have obtained refugee status or subsidiary protection in the Republic of Poland, persons under the age of 30 and over 50 years of age with job-seeker status, without employment and persons who are members of disadvantaged minorities, in particular members of national and ethnic minorities pursuant to the regulations on national and ethnic minorities and on regional language or persons who are members of groups that are otherwise socially marginalised, provided that the percentage of employment of persons belonging to one or more of the aforesaid categories is not less than 30% of the persons employed by the economic operator or in its unit that will perform the contract,”
(…)
“• Article 96, which provides for the possibility for the contracting body to specify in the contract notice or procurement documents contract performance requirements, which may include, among others, aspects related to employment of the unemployed, jobseekers, who do not remain in employment or do not perform other gainful employment, to-be self-reliant persons, adolescents, persons with disabilities or persons from other groups indicated in the provisions on social employment. These requirements may also cover other social aspects such as the promotion of decent work, respect for human rights and labour law, support for social inclusion (including of persons with disabilities), the social economy and SMEs, the promotion of equal opportunities and the principle of ‘accessible and designed for all’, including sustainable criteria along with consideration of fair and ethical trade,
“• Article 104 on the possibility of direct reference by the contracting body to a specific label in the description of the subject-matter of the contract, the description of the contract award criteria or in the contract performance requirements in order to highlight the specific characteristics of the contract (including social ones). Labels by means of which contracting bodies may specify requirements connected with the pursuit of social objectives in the description of the subject-matter of the contract, the contract award criteria and the contract performance requirements , in the criteria on which their award to certain products and services is based, refer, inter alia, to compliance with social and economic rights, such as guaranteeing adequate remuneration for work, protecting women’s rights and combating discrimination against them (equal pay, participation in decision-making), prohibition of forced labour and non-use of child labour, freedom of association, health and safety at work, contribution to the development of local communities. Said right of the contracting body is subject to the cumulative fulfilment of the conditions set out in Article 104 of the PPL,
• Article 100 concerning the requirement to draft the description of the subject-matter of the contract taking into account accessibility requirements for persons with disabilities and design for all users, unless this is not justified by the nature of the subject-matter of the contract,”
(…)
“• Article 242, which indicates that non-price contract award criteria used by the contracting body to select the most advantageous tender may be quality criteria, including functional characteristics such as accessibility for persons with disabilities or responding to user needs, as well as social aspects, including the social and occupational integration of disadvantaged persons.”
13. National Labour Inspectorate
Tasks of the National Labour Inspectorate in the field of combating discrimination in access to employment and in relation to the provision of services by employment agencies
[page 39]
“Respecting the dignity and other personal interests of employees is a fundamental duty of employers. This also includes the prohibition of unequal treatment and discrimination at work. The activities of the National Labour Inspectorate to prevent and combat unequal treatment and discrimination in labour relations include the implementation of oversight and inspection measures, as well as prevention and information.
Oversight and inspection activities are carried out as a result of, among other things, complaints, notices, and indications of irregularities sent to the National Labour Inspectorate, but also within the framework of inspections carried out in accordance with the Inspectorate’s action programme (thematic inspections), where issues of equal treatment and discrimination are addressed.
Inspections of employment agencies always include audits of the implementation of the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of sex, age, disability, race, religion, ethnic origin, nationality, sexual orientation, political beliefs, and religious denomination or trade union affiliation of individuals for whom the agency sought employment or other paid work.
(…)
As part of inspections concerning the legality of employment, labour inspectors examine issues related to respecting the principle of equal treatment and non-discrimination in access to employment. These activities are aimed at disclosing offences with regard to a refusal to employ a candidate for a vacant position or place of vocational training on the basis of their sex, age, disability, race, religion, nationality, political beliefs, ethnic origin, religious denomination, or sexual orientation. Most often, they involve the examination of job advertisements in which employers post illegal criteria for people who apply for employment, where the nature of the work does not justify their use (e.g., relating to sex or age).
(…)
Promotion of the idea of equal treatment and non-discrimination in the labour market, especially with respect to foreign nationals, is supported by projects co-financed from European funds, as well as PIP publications (leaflets, brochures, guides) addressed to a wide audience.”
Principle 3a – Work and employment of persons with disabilities
Protection of persons with disabilities against discrimination is provided for by legislation, which also envisages positive, protective and other measures for such persons. (pg. 14)
Slovenia is striving to guarantee measures to improve the employability of persons with disabilities by providing various programmes and training. In this context, it is essential to inform employers of the possibility of adequately adjusting the working environment and the workplace, as well as to encourage persons with disabilities to seek employment. (pg. 14)
In accordance with the European Disability Strategy 2010–2020 and the World Programme of Action for Youth, special attention is devoted to measures for the effective development of employment possibilities and opportunities for young people with disabilities. (pg. 14)
The priorities regarding the work and employment of persons with disabilities include: Improving the employability of employed persons with disabilities, fostering the training and employment of disabled persons in state administration bodies, and providing an expert support network for employment rehabilitation. (pg. 17)
3. Public procurement considering social responsibility [page 5]
Highly recommend to apply the guidelines which reflects the corporate social responsibility.
– Give additional credit points to companies which are ‘female·disabled friendly companies’ and which offer work-learning dual program following the guidelines of qualification examination on goods purchase(Public Procurement Guidelines).
– Give additional 10% point on management condition mark when female·disabled friendly companies or social enterprises record construction ratio over 30% according to detailed guidelines of qualification examination on facility construction (Public Procurement guidelines).
Spain is party to all of the main treaties on human rights and, specifically, to the following: …
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
Guiding Principle 21
Measure 5
Likewise, an awareness-raising strategy will be carried out on how to avoid discriminatory practices in public and private companies (by distinction, exclusion or preference) because of… disability…
2 National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights 2020-23
2.2 Pillar 2: the corporate responsibility to respect human rights
2.2.1 Foundational principles
Guiding Principles 11 to 15
The responsibility of business enterprises to respect human rights refers to internationally recognised human rights. … Depending on the circumstances, business enterprises must also observe additional standards concerning particularly vulnerable population groups, including agreements protecting … people with disabilities … does not make an explicit reference to Persons with Disabilities.
Voluntary commitment to implementation of international covenants (page 6)
‘[…] although Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations, it has nevertheless signed and ratified important United Nations human rights covenants in recent years, including the […] “Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities” […] In addition, the Taiwan government has gone through the legislative process to incorporate these covenants and conventions into domestic law, and has periodically prepared national reports and submitted them for review by international experts.’
Business-related human rights safeguards in Taiwanese legislation (page 7)
‘The Taiwan government has already incorporated […] the “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” […] and other such UN covenants and conventions into domestic legislation, so they can be directly applied as Taiwan law.’
This information is also covered under Appendix 4: Overview of the implementation of the state duty to protect and the access to remedy, The state duty to respect, UNGP2, Actions taken (page 38).
C. Actions planned
Continue pushing for passage of laws to protect working conditions and labor rights (pages 9-10)
‘[Taiwan has] a special chapter on employment rights in the “Act for Protecting the Interests of the Physically and Mentally Disabled,” are promoting occupational rehabilitation, and have adopted a system of a fixed number of total employees. These measures are designed to uphold the rights and interests of persons with physical and mental disabilities.’
This information is also covered under Appendix 4: Overview of the implementation of the state duty to protect and the access to remedy, The state duty to respect, UNGP2, Actions planned (page 39).
V. Access to remedy
B. Actions taken
Non-judicial remedy
Grievance system for employment discrimination (page 19)
‘The labor competent authorities in local governments throughout Taiwan have already established employment discrimination grievance channels to deal with instances of employment discrimination involving […] disability. Accordingly, employees or job seekers who discover law-breaking behavior on the part of an employer can file a grievance via any of the aforementioned channels.’
This information is also covered under Appendix 4: Overview of the implementation of the state duty to protect and the access to remedy, Access to remedy, UNGP30, Actions taken (page 59).
Appendix 1: Concrete actions taken by Taiwan to fulfill the state obligation to protect
Taiwan’s commitment to human rights and international participation (page 23)
‘Regarding the ratification and the entry into force of important UN conventions, the Taiwan government has taken following actions: […] The “Act to Implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” came into force on 3 December 2014. This convention protects the rights and interests of persons with physical and mental disabilities, and ensures their opportunity for equal social, political, economic, and cultural participation.’
Government procurement (page 24)
‘Article 101, paragraph 1, subparagraph 14 of the “Government Procurement Act” provides that where the supplier discriminates on the basis of gender, aboriginal status, physical or mental disability, or status as the member of a disadvantaged group, where the details of the discrimination are particularly serious, it will be published in the Government Procurement Gazette and the supplier shall not be allowed to bid on a government contract (or be a sub-contractor) for one year.’
[…]
‘Article 98 of the “Government Procurement Act” stipulates that for a winning tenderer which employs more than 100 persons locally, aborigines or persons with physical or mental disabilities shall account for a minimum of two percent of the total number of employees during the term of contract performance; otherwise, the foregoing tenderer shall pay a fee in lieu of performance and shall not hire foreign workers to make up the shortage in question.’
Other legislative action and measures (page 29)
‘Article 8 of the “Public Welfare Lottery Issue Act” provides as follows: “Disabled persons who are capable of working, indigenous persons, and single-parent families with low income shall be given first priority for lottery retailer licenses. Retailers which have more than five employees shall hire at least one disabled person who is capable of working, one indigenous person, or one head of a single-parent family with low income.”’
3. The core content of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights
3.1 Action plan on labour
3.1.1 Overall situation
For the promotion of people with disabilities to enter a career and have a better quality of life, the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security jointly announced their cooperation to support the employment of people with disabilities to develop the potential of improved work by setting a target of employment of 10,000 people with disabilities and a Memorandum of Agreement between the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security signed to coordinate the employment of people with disabilities in the community to work in a government agency under the Ministry of Public Health. In addition, the Civil State for Society Project can also help the employment of people with disabilities with more work. Many businesses including educational institutions have also put efforts into hiring people with disabilities.
3.1 Action plan on labour
3.1.3 Action Plan (2019–2022)
Pillar 1: State duties in protecting (Protect)
No.
Issues
Activities
Responsible agencies
Time-frame (2019–2022)
Indicators (wide frame)
Compliance with National Strategy/ SDGs/UNGPs
6.
Eliminating discrimination in employment and the workplace
– Promote jobs and employment for persons with disabilities in the workplace and in public sectors by having a coordinator between entrepreneurs and the disabled, including make use of screening systems for people with disabilities to find appropriate jobs and employment.
– Manage working conditions that are suitable to their needs, including being equipped with facilities that ensure physical in person, access to the workplace, services, all instruments and equipment. This includes facilitation of persons with disabilities to access assisting tools and equipment such as wheelchairs, touch screen computers, etc. in order to help facilitate the disabled to be able to work in the same manner as other staff in the organization.
– Build up the capacity of staff working with the disabled to have expertise in job guidance and coaching by providing training for job guidance and coaching in order to coordinate between entrepreneurs and the disabled
– Ministry of Social Development and Human Security
– Ministry of Labour
2019
project to find jobs for persons with disabilities
Specially needed recruitment activities for disabled workers
Activities to promote the disabled to work in the public sector
Quantitative
– 1,750 persons with disabilities are employed.
Qualitative
– persons with disabilities are employed no less than 62%
– 88 persons with disabilities are employed in government agencies promote employment of the disabled to work in government agencies as specified by law in the ratio 100: 1
– National Strategy for Human Capital Development and Strengthening
– National Strategy for Social Cohesion and Just Society
– SDG 8 and 10
– UNGPs Articles 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8
– Improve the efficiency of the Fund for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
– Ministry of Social Development and Human Security
2019–2022
– Supporting the disabled to have jobs or independent employment
Promote the workplace to provide facilities that facilitate persons with disabilities to work
– National Strategy for Human Capital Development and Strengthening
– National Strategy for Social Cohesion and Just Society
– SDG 8
– UNGPs Articles 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 10
Pillar 2: Responsibilities of the business sector in respecting of human rights
2.3 Elimination of discrimination in the workplace
State enterprises and the business sector should increase the employment of … persons with disability … . by considering as appropriate, including requiring the establishments for proper facilities set-up.
Notwithstanding the progressive legal regime, there are a number of abuses experienced by especially vulnerable groups like women, people with disabilities and youth. The field findings revealed glaring gaps in labour administration in the country particularly in the business sector. Noting that whereas each district is mandated to have a labour officer, due to budgetary limitations and varying priorities at the district level, many districts do not have substantive labour officers in place. Those in place raised a concern of difficulty in executing their jobs due to under-funding to the labour functions, lack of transport to carry out routine and effective supervision and corruption, which hinders compliance to their rulings. Some of the labour officers also highlighted challenges of information asymmetry between the centre (MGLSD) and the local governments.
3.8 Women, Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups
Human rights instruments set out obligations and commitments to ensure equality and non-discrimination. These are highlighted in various human rights instruments at international, regional and national levels including the following: SDG 5 gender equality and women empowerment , 8 on decent employment and 10 on reducing inequalities within and among countries, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Convention on Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women, African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), the Constitution of Uganda under Chapter Four on the Protection and Promotion of Fundamental and Other Human Rights and Freedoms, the National Equal Opportunities Policy (2006), the National Gender Policy (2007), the Persons with Disability Act (2020) and the National Policy on Disability (2006).
Despite the positive strides taken to provide legal protection for vulnerable groups, gaps persist and certain groups remain susceptible to suffer negative consequences of business operations. In particular, those that are already marginalized or excluded in society – as is often the case for women, minority groups, migrants, and persons with disabilities and persons living with HIV/AIDS.
(…)
Persons with Disabilities: It emerged that persons with disabilities were subjected to unfair treatment and often excluded from socio-economic development processes and employment opportunities due to stigma and discrimination. It was reported that physical barriers make it difficult for persons with disabilities to access government facilities, including labour offices, and certain potential work places. Persons with Disability are often excluded from accessing information and have limited access to education, which further limits their livelihood opportunities, which increases their vulnerability to exploitation. Disability affect men and women differently and impact women more due to social and cultural norms. According to the 2006 National Policy on Disability in Uganda, discriminatory cultural practices on property inheritance and property ownership affect the livelihoods of women with disabilities more adversely than men with disabilities.
CHAPTER FOUR: STRATEGIES AND INTERVENTIONSSTRATEGIES
(…)
OBJECTIVE 2: To promote human rights compliance and accountability by business actors
4.2.1 Empower communities especially vulnerable persons to claim their rights
(…)
ii. Conduct community dialogue meetings with rights holders prioritizing women, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities and people in hard to reach areas.
OBJECTIVE 3: To promote meaningful and effective participation and respect for consent by relevant stakeholders in business operations.
4.3.1 Promoting FPIC for communities in all business operations
Review and enact laws guaranteeing FPIC (Free, Prior and Informed Consent), particularly ensuring meaningful consultations with vulnerable groups, such as women, persons with disabilities, indigenous persons, ethnic minorities and persons living with HIV and AIDS.
Develop and enforce guidelines and policies regarding land acquisition, compensation and resettlement of communities affected by business operations, prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable, such as women, persons with disabilities and persons living with HIV/AIDS.
OBJECTIVE 4: To promote social inclusion and rights of the vulnerable and marginalized individuals and groups in business operations.
4.4.1 Empower communities to demand for protection and fulfilment of their rights and access to justice
Educate communities, prioritizing vulnerable groups such as women, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities and older persons, on business and human rights including access to justice.
OBJECTIVE 5: To enhance access to remedy to victims of business-related human rights abuses and violations in business operations.
4.5.1 Strengthen access to remedy mechanisms against business-related human rights abuses and violations
(…)
II. Provision of government-supported legal aid services to workers, especially vulnerable groups including women, persons with disabilities, persons living with HIV and AIDS and minorities.
Consider new project activity on raising awareness and tackling the negative impacts of business activity, including on the human rights of groups like…persons with disabilities…,by tasking our diplomatic missions in countries where these are concerns.
– Studying, reviewing, proposing amendments, supplements and promulgation of legal normative documents related to gender equality, anti-discrimination and protection of the rights of the vulnerable groups in business activities to ensure feasibility and compliance with international standards, including Law on Gender Equality 2006, Law on Persons with Disabilities in 2010, Law on Children 2016, etc. and their guiding instruments.
+ Lead agency: Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs
+ Coordinating agencies: Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, governmental agencies and other relevant agencies; Viet Nam Fatherland Front; Viet Nam Women’s Union; Viet Nam Association for the Protection of Children’s Rights; Viet Nam Association of People with Disabilities and orphans; other relevant socio-political and social organizations.
+ Output: Research reports, reviews, proposals and recommendations submitted to competent authorities + Deadline: 2025
Belgium (2017 - open)
Chile (2017-2020)
Colombia (2020-2022)
Czechia (2017-2022)
Denmark (2014-open)
Finland (2014-2016)
France (2017-open)
Georgia (2018-2020)
Germany (2016-2020)
Ireland (2017-2020)
Italy (2021-2026)
Japan (2020-2025)
Kenya (2020-2025)
Lithuania (2015-open)
Luxembourg (2020-2022)
Mongolia (2023-2027)
Netherlands (2022-2026)
Nigeria (2024-2028)
Norway (2015-open)
Pakistan (2021-2026)
Peru (2021-2025)
Poland (2021-2024)
Slovenia (2018-open)
South Korea (2018-2022)
Spain (2017-2020)
Sweden (2017-open)
Switzerland (2020-2023)
Thailand (2019-2022)
Uganda (2021-2026)
United Kingdom (2016-open)
United States (2024 - open)
