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Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Nigeria (RATIFICATION: 2010)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments.

Repetition

Articles 1–4 of the Convention. National policy. Promoting opportunities in the open labour market for persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that the Government’s report fails to address most of the issues raised in its previous comments regarding the application of the Convention since its ratification. The Committee noted the Government’s indications concerning a draft bill that was then before the National Assembly and which intended to ensure full integration of Nigerians with disability into society. Moreover, despite a comprehensive National Policy on the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities, including implementation strategies, the Government states in a very brief report that it had ensured at least 2 per cent of the workforce for suitably qualified persons with disabilities; additionally, that letters of recommendations have been issued in order to enable persons with disabilities to be gainfully employed; that economic empowerment programmes have been organized, and that mobility aids and appliances have been distributed. Moreover, the Government indicates that it has endeavoured to ensure availability of vocational rehabilitation to all categories of persons with disabilities. The Committee renews its request for full information on the matters raised in its previous comments, particularly specific information on the status of the draft bill. The Committee requests the Government to provide full information on the implementation of the National Policy on the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities. Please also provide relevant information on the application of the Convention, including statistical information disaggregated, as much as possible, by age, sex and nature of the disability, as well as extracts from reports and studies or inquiries on the matters covered by the Convention.

Article 5. Consultations. The Committee once again requests the Government to describe in detail the manner in which representative organizations of employers and workers, and representative organizations of and for persons with disabilities are consulted in practice regarding the implementation of the vocational rehabilitation and employment policy for persons with disabilities.

Articles 7 and 9. Services for persons with disabilities. Qualified staff for persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that it ensures that persons engaged in providing and evaluating vocational guidance, vocational training, placement, employment and other related services to persons with disabilities have adequate knowledge of disabilities and their limiting effects, as well as integrating them into active economic and social life. The Committee requests the Government to describe the measures taken or envisaged with a view to providing and evaluating vocational guidance and vocational training services for persons with all types of disabilities, and to indicate whether existing services for workers are being used with necessary adaptations. The Committee renews its request to the Government to provide further information on the number of persons trained and qualified staff made available to persons with disabilities.

Article 8. Rural areas and remote communities. The Government indicates that, in rural and remote communities, trainable persons with disabilities are attached to local craftsmen such as tailors, hairstylists, barbers, vulcanizers. The Committee once again requests the Government to describe the measures taken to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.