Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Mongolia (RATIFICATION: 1998)

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Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. Consultations of the relevant organizations. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information, including statistics disaggregated by age and sex, on the impact of the measures implemented with a view to promoting employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in both the public and private sectors. The Committee also requested the Government to provide information regarding the manner in which the 4 per cent employment quota for persons with disabilities is applied as well as on the status of the legislation limiting the maximum weekly hours of work for persons with disabilities. In addition, the Committee requested the Government to provide information regarding the nature and content of consultations held with the social partners and with organizations of and for persons with disabilities on matters related to vocational rehabilitation and the promotion of employment for persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that, from 2015 to 2018, the employment rate for persons with disabilities increased by 24 per cent. In this respect, the labour force study conducted by the National Statistics Committee in 2018, indicates that out of 1,253,023 persons in employment (aged 15 and over), 30,748 were persons with disabilities (18,717 (60.9 per cent) men and 12,031 (39.1 per cent) women). The Government further indicates that incentives have been implemented to increase the number of persons with disabilities in the labour market, including monetary incentives for employers hiring persons with disabilities and enforcement of the legal quota requiring that at least 4 per cent of employees of employers with more than 50 workers must be persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that the Mongolian Labour Code stipulates an employment quota for persons with disabilities. According to section 111, “if an employer has more than 50 employees, at least 3 per cent of such employees must include persons with disabilities unless it is justified to exclude such persons because of the nature of the employer’s business.” In addition, “if business entities and organisations fail to employ persons with disabilities or dwarfs as required by section 111.1, it shall pay a monthly payment to the State with respect to each such employee they should have employed”. The Government indicates that, in 2018, the Research Institute of Labour and Social Protection (RILSP) conducted a Survey on the employment of people with disabilities to identify challenges encountered in the implementation of section 111 of the Labour Code and make recommendations to increase the employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that the data from the survey indicates that 42.9 per cent of the employers consider that there is no challenge or difficulty in relation to employing persons with disabilities. Nevertheless, a significant percentage of employers surveyed revealed negative attitudes with respect to the capacity of persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that based on the survey’s results, a draft amendment to the Law on Infringement (Violations) is under consideration to increase the liability of business entities and organizations for non-compliance with section 111 of the Labour Code. In addition, a revised edition of the Law on Employment Promotion has been drafted which includes a new special chapter on “Activities to support employment of persons with disabilities” in order to improve the legal framework and provide more adequate employment services to persons with disabilities. The draft amendment further introduces modifications concerning section 71 of the Labour Code on working hours, to enable employees with disabilities to request shorter working hours in order to better adjust to their work requirements. The Government further indicates that the “Employment Promotion Program for Persons with Disabilities” (approved by the National Employment Council in its resolution No.1 of 2017), has been implemented to create an enabling environment for social integration of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that in 2018, the Programme benefited 5,692 persons with disabilities and generated 1,209 permanent and 134 temporary jobs. With regard to consultations held with the social partners, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the participation of social partners and NGOs involved in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. In particular, it notes that since 2018, the Minister for Labour and Social Protection chairs the National Council, which is responsible for enforcing relevant legislation, policies and programs for safeguarding the human rights of persons with disabilities and providing professional and methodological counselling. The Ministry also broadcasts a monthly “Information Hour” on television with the participation of persons with disabilities and respective NGOs in order to inform and involve them in decision-making. In 2018, “Information Hour” was broadcast seven times on television and has now become a regular monthly event. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the practical application of the Convention including statistics and relevant data, disaggregated as much as possible by age, sex and the nature of the disability, extracts from reports, studies and inquiries concerning the matters covered by the Convention, including information on compliance with the quota system for employing persons with disabilities in both the private and public sectors. In addition, the Government is requested to provide information in its next report on the status of the draft amendment to the Law on Infringement (Violations) and the revised edition of the Law on Employment Promotion and to provide copies once they are adopted.

Articles 7 and 8. Vocational rehabilitation and employment services. Access to services in rural areas and remote communities. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide updated information on the progress made in establishing additional local branches of the National Centre for Rehabilitation and Development and on the development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities. In particular, the Government was requested to indicate the number and location of branches established, the number of adults with disabilities provided with vocational rehabilitation services, and the outcome of measures taken to place these persons in employment. The Government indicates that a Development Centre for children was built to provide training and development activities to children with disabilities and their parents. The Centre is a service facility with 250 hospital beds capable of providing daytime rehabilitation to 250 children with disabilities. The project plans to construct an Employment, business and research and development centre for persons with disabilities in Ulaanbaatar city, providing jobs for 5,000 persons with disabilities. It further plans to create additional centres in six provinces (Dornod, Darkhan, Khovd, Huvsgul, Arkhangai and Dundgobi aimags) to serve 17,000 persons with disabilities in rural areas. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on progress made in establishing additional local branches of the National Centre for Rehabilitation and Development and on the impact of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities. The Government is also requested to provide information on the number of persons benefiting from these centres and services, disaggregated by age, sex and the nature of disability.

Article 9. Training of suitably qualified staff. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to ensure the availability to the persons concerned of suitably qualified and trained vocational rehabilitation staff. The Government indicates that the “Project to Support the Social Participation of Persons with Disabilities” 2016-2020 has been implemented jointly with the Government of Japan. The project has provided training to 32 trainers with disabilities and organized 250 trainings on “Disability and Equality” involving over 8,500 public officers and private sector entities. It further indicates that, in application of section 7 of Chapter 2 of the Law on human rights of persons with disabilities, a training module has been developed, in 2019, in collaboration with the representative Office of UNESCO in Beijing, to involve media in increasing public awareness on disabilities, and promoting positive attitude that gives opportunities to persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that numerous training activities have been organized and 25 journalists have been trained as trainers. The Government indicates that since 2018, the “MONGOLIA TRY” programme was organized in collaboration with the “Universal Development Centre” which is an NGO working to promote independent living of persons with disabilities, to conduct influencing campaigns in order to ensure enforcement of the Law on human rights of persons with disabilities, and to increase social awareness to create an enabling environment for persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that in 2019, “MONGOLIA TRY” has organized excursions for young people with disabilities in Baganuur district (of Ulaanbaatar), Dornod and Sukhbaatar aimags. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to ensure that suitably qualified vocational rehabilitation staff are made available to persons with disabilities. The Committee further requests the Government to provide information on the nature and impact of the measures taken with a view to raising public awareness on disability issues and promoting positives attitudes regarding the capabilities of persons with disabilities that can facilitate their access to employment opportunities in the open labour market.

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. Consultations of the relevant organizations. In its previous comments, the Committee invited the Government to provide information, including relevant statistics on the impact of measures adopted to promote vocational rehabilitation and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, as well as information on consultations with the social partners and organizations of and for persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the information provided in the report on vocational training courses offered by the National Centre for Rehabilitation and Development (NCRD) during 2012–16 in various areas of specialization for children and young people with disabilities with the aim of providing high-quality, accessible vocational skills training that reflect both the interests of persons with disabilities and the needs of the labour market. In particular, it notes the Government’s indication that 63 per cent of the graduates of the course found employment. In addition, the Committee notes that courses were held in 2015 to improve the infrastructure and environment for persons with disabilities employed by government organizations in certain districts. The courses were attended by 152 persons, including staff and officers of government offices and social security departments and representatives of non-governmental organizations for persons with disabilities, among others. The aim of the courses was to promote the development of an enabling environment in order to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities in terms of vocational rehabilitation assistance and services and to also improve the knowledge and skills of employees and officers working with persons with disabilities. The Government reports that, following the courses, measures were taken in certain districts to improve infrastructure for persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that such measures are frequently essential to ensure that persons with disabilities who are able to work are able to access workplaces. In its General Survey on vocational rehabilitation and employment of disabled persons, 1998, paragraph 55, the Committee pointed out that occupational disadvantage for many persons with disabilities is dependent on the extent to which places of employment recognize the needs of persons with disabilities and take account of them, noting that the workplace environment “should be adapted to make it accessible to all people with disabilities who are able to work, if necessary with appropriate medical or physical aids”. In this context, the Committee notes with interest the adoption of the Act on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 5 February 2016. The Government reports that the Act was revised, its content expanded and its provisions harmonized with the principles set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2006. The Act prohibits all forms of discrimination – including employment discrimination – on the grounds of disability, and provides for reasonable accommodation in the workplace (section 6.4 of the Act). The Government indicates that the Act reflects its commitment to labour rights and free choice of employment for persons with disabilities. With regard to the national legislation, the Committee also refers to the conclusions of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on the initial report of Mongolia (CRPD/C/MNG/CO/1, 13 May 2015) in which it expressed concern regarding the system for enforcing the legal requirement that public and private entities with more than 25 staff have 4 per cent of the staff consisting of persons with disabilities, as well as regarding legislation limiting the maximum number of working hours for persons with disabilities to 36 hours, indicating that this restriction may discourage their employment. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the 2016 Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. It also requests the Government to supply updated information, including statistics disaggregated by age and sex, on the impact of the measures implemented with a view to promoting employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in both the public and private sectors. The Committee would welcome receiving information regarding the manner in which the 4 per cent employment quota for persons with disabilities is applied as well as on the status of the legislation limiting the maximum weekly hours of work for persons with disabilities. In addition, the Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide information regarding the nature and content of consultations held with the social partners and with organizations of and for persons with disabilities on matters related to vocational rehabilitation and the promotion of employment for persons with disabilities.

Article 7. Vocational rehabilitation and employment services. In its previous comments, the Committee invited the Government to provide information on the progress made in developing local branches of the NCRD. The Government reports that NCRD’s range of services was expanded and additional premises were acquired in the Sükhbaatar district, which offers improved rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities. It adds that a Central Commission for the Health, Education and Social Protection of Children with Disabilities was established by the Government in the NCRD, with branches in 21 provinces and nine districts of Ulaanbaatar. The Commission offers early diagnosis of developmental delays and disabilities in children and provides comprehensive rehabilitation services tailored to each child. The Government also refers to a proposed project of the Asian Development Bank on ensuring inclusiveness and service delivery for persons with disabilities (2017–22) that envisages the establishment of development centres for children and adults with disabilities in six provinces. Furthermore, in 2016, the Centre for Vocational Rehabilitation, Training and Production provided essential specialist advice and information to 1,519 patients at specialist outpatient clinics that offer vocational rehabilitation services, in addition to surgery and trauma care. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information in its next report on the progress made in establishing additional local branches of the National Centre for Rehabilitation and Development. In particular, the Government is requested to indicate the number and location of branches established, the number of adults with disabilities provided with vocational rehabilitation services, and the outcome of measures taken to place these persons in employment. It also requests the Government to provide information on progress made in establishment of the development centres referred to in its report.

Article 8. Access to services in rural areas and remote communities. The Government indicates that, during the period 2012–15, the NCRD, in partnership with other national entities, set up joint mobile services to provide a range of rehabilitation services in rural areas. The Committee notes that 428 persons with disabilities in 13 provinces and districts of Ulaanbaatar and in two remote communities were reached through these mobile services. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing updated information on the development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities.

Article 9. Training of suitably qualified staff. Regarding the measures adopted by the Government to improve the training and increase the availability of qualified staff responsible for vocational guidance, training, placement and employment of persons with disabilities, the Committee notes that 97 staff members and officers of the NCRD are providing comprehensive rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities. The Government also reports that, in June 2016, the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the NCRD jointly offered training courses for 19 teachers (from the Khovd, Bayan-Ölgii and Govi-Altai provinces) and other employees of the vocational training institutes (VTI). The course included information on understanding disability, national legislation and international approaches, and techniques for working with persons with hearing, visual, mental and mobility impairments in providing vocational rehabilitation services. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on measures taken or envisaged to ensure the availability to the persons concerned of suitably qualified and trained vocational rehabilitation staff.

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Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. Consultations of the relevant organizations. In its previous comments, the Committee invited the Government to provide information, including relevant statistics on the impact of measures adopted to promote vocational rehabilitation and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, as well as information on consultations with the social partners and organizations of and for persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the information provided in the report on vocational training courses offered by the National Centre for Rehabilitation and Development (NCRD) during 2012–16 in various areas of specialization for children and young people with disabilities with the aim of providing high-quality, accessible vocational skills training that reflect both the interests of persons with disabilities and the needs of the labour market. In particular, it notes the Government’s indication that 63 per cent of the graduates of the course found employment. In addition, the Committee notes that courses were held in 2015 to improve the infrastructure and environment for persons with disabilities employed by government organizations in certain districts. The courses were attended by 152 persons, including staff and officers of government offices and social security departments and representatives of non-governmental organizations for persons with disabilities, among others. The aim of the courses was to promote the development of an enabling environment in order to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities in terms of vocational rehabilitation assistance and services and to also improve the knowledge and skills of employees and officers working with persons with disabilities. The Government reports that, following the courses, measures were taken in certain districts to improve infrastructure for persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that such measures are frequently essential to ensure that persons with disabilities who are able to work are able to access workplaces. In its General Survey on vocational rehabilitation and employment of disabled persons, 1998, paragraph 55, the Committee pointed out that occupational disadvantage for many persons with disabilities is dependent on the extent to which places of employment recognize the needs of persons with disabilities and take account of them, noting that the workplace environment “should be adapted to make it accessible to all people with disabilities who are able to work, if necessary with appropriate medical or physical aids”. In this context, the Committee notes with interest the adoption of the Act on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 5 February 2016. The Government reports that the Act was revised, its content expanded and its provisions harmonized with the principles set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2006. The Act prohibits all forms of discrimination – including employment discrimination – on the grounds of disability, and provides for reasonable accommodation in the workplace (section 6.4 of the Act). The Government indicates that the Act reflects its commitment to labour rights and free choice of employment for persons with disabilities. With regard to the national legislation, the Committee also refers to the conclusions of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on the initial report of Mongolia (CRPD/C/MNG/CO/1, 13 May 2015) in which it expressed concern regarding the system for enforcing the legal requirement that public and private entities with more than 25 staff have 4 per cent of the staff consisting of persons with disabilities, as well as regarding legislation limiting the maximum number of working hours for persons with disabilities to 36 hours, indicating that this restriction may discourage their employment. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the 2016 Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. It also requests the Government to supply updated information, including statistics disaggregated by age and sex, on the impact of the measures implemented with a view to promoting employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in both the public and private sectors. The Committee would welcome receiving information regarding the manner in which the 4 per cent employment quota for persons with disabilities is applied as well as on the status of the legislation limiting the maximum weekly hours of work for persons with disabilities. In addition, the Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide information regarding the nature and content of consultations held with the social partners and with organizations of and for persons with disabilities on matters related to vocational rehabilitation and the promotion of employment for persons with disabilities.

Article 7. Vocational rehabilitation and employment services. In its previous comments, the Committee invited the Government to provide information on the progress made in developing local branches of the NCRD. The Government reports that NCRD’s range of services was expanded and additional premises were acquired in the Sükhbaatar district, which offers improved rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities. It adds that a Central Commission for the Health, Education and Social Protection of Children with Disabilities was established by the Government in the NCRD, with branches in 21 provinces and nine districts of Ulaanbaatar. The Commission offers early diagnosis of developmental delays and disabilities in children and provides comprehensive rehabilitation services tailored to each child. The Government also refers to a proposed project of the Asian Development Bank on ensuring inclusiveness and service delivery for persons with disabilities (2017–22) that envisages the establishment of development centres for children and adults with disabilities in six provinces. Furthermore, in 2016, the Centre for Vocational Rehabilitation, Training and Production provided essential specialist advice and information to 1,519 patients at specialist outpatient clinics that offer vocational rehabilitation services, in addition to surgery and trauma care. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information in its next report on the progress made in establishing additional local branches of the National Centre for Rehabilitation and Development. In particular, the Government is requested to indicate the number and location of branches established, the number of adults with disabilities provided with vocational rehabilitation services, and the outcome of measures taken to place these persons in employment. It also requests the Government to provide information on progress made in establishment of the development centres referred to in its report.

Article 8. Access to services in rural areas and remote communities. The Government indicates that, during the period 2012–15, the NCRD, in partnership with other national entities, set up joint mobile services to provide a range of rehabilitation services in rural areas. The Committee notes that 428 persons with disabilities in 13 provinces and districts of Ulaanbaatar and in two remote communities were reached through these mobile services. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing updated information on the development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities.

Article 9. Training of suitably qualified staff. Regarding the measures adopted by the Government to improve the training and increase the availability of qualified staff responsible for vocational guidance, training, placement and employment of persons with disabilities, the Committee notes that 97 staff members and officers of the NCRD are providing comprehensive rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities. The Government also reports that, in June 2016, the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the NCRD jointly offered training courses for 19 teachers (from the Khovd, Bayan-Ölgii and Govi-Altai provinces) and other employees of the vocational training institutes (VTI). The course included information on understanding disability, national legislation and international approaches, and techniques for working with persons with hearing, visual, mental and mobility impairments in providing vocational rehabilitation services. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on measures taken or envisaged to ensure the availability to the persons concerned of suitably qualified and trained vocational rehabilitation staff.

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It notes however the information provided by the Government in its report on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122). In this regard, the Committee refers to its comments on Convention No. 122 where it noted that the amended Law on Employment Promotion includes provisions to support the employment of certain groups of people, including persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the measures adopted to promote vocational rehabilitation and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, as well as relevant statistics showing the impact of the National Programme on Promotion of Persons with Disabilities and the Law on Employment Promotion on increasing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Please also include information on the consultations held with the social partners and organizations of and for persons with disabilities engaged in vocational rehabilitation activities (Article 5).

Article 7. Vocational rehabilitation and employment services. The Committee previously noted the reorganization and expansion of the National Rehabilitation Centre in 2006. The Government communicated its intention to develop the centre into a model institution with local branches, offering comprehensive rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the progress made in developing local branches of the National Rehabilitation Centre.

Article 8. Access to services in rural areas and remote communities. The Committee previously noted that the Government allocated funding to 21 provinces and nine districts through the special account under the Employment Promotion Fund. The Committee invites the Government to provide updated information on the availability of vocational rehabilitation and employment services in rural areas and remote communities.

Article 9. Training of suitably qualified staff. The Committee noted that the National Rehabilitation Centre employed 53 trained staff. It also noted that the Government was taking some measures to train specialized social workers to improve community and family-based services for persons with disabilities under the Comprehensive National Development Strategy of 2008. The Committee invites the Government to provide updated information on the measures adopted by the Government to improve the training and increase the availability of qualified staff responsible for vocational guidance, training, placement and employment of persons with disabilities.

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Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It notes however the information provided by the Government in its report on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122). In this regard, the Committee refers to its comments on Convention No. 122 where it noted that the amended Law on Employment Promotion includes provisions to support the employment of certain groups of people, including persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the measures adopted to promote vocational rehabilitation and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, as well as relevant statistics showing the impact of the National Programme on Promotion of Persons with Disabilities and the Law on Employment Promotion on increasing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Please also include information on the consultations held with the social partners and organizations of and for persons with disabilities engaged in vocational rehabilitation activities (Article 5).

Article 7. Vocational rehabilitation and employment services. The Committee previously noted the reorganization and expansion of the National Rehabilitation Centre in 2006. The Government communicated its intention to develop the centre into a model institution with local branches, offering comprehensive rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the progress made in developing local branches of the National Rehabilitation Centre.

Article 8. Access to services in rural areas and remote communities. The Committee previously noted that the Government allocated funding to 21 provinces and nine districts through the special account under the Employment Promotion Fund. The Committee invites the Government to provide updated information on the availability of vocational rehabilitation and employment services in rural areas and remote communities.

Article 9. Training of suitably qualified staff. The Committee noted that the National Rehabilitation Centre employed 53 trained staff. It also noted that the Government was taking some measures to train specialized social workers to improve community and family-based services for persons with disabilities under the Comprehensive National Development Strategy of 2008. The Committee invites the Government to provide updated information on the measures adopted by the Government to improve the training and increase the availability of qualified staff responsible for vocational guidance, training, placement and employment of persons with disabilities.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2015.]

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The Committee notes with interest the detailed information provided by the Government in October 2009 in reply to the 2004 direct request.

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. National policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that the Labour and Social Welfare Service Agency reports 82,600 persons with disabilities as of 2009, with 20.7 per cent of them employed. The Government informs that it has adopted the National Programme on Promotion of Persons with Disabilities in 2006 and has amended the Labour Law and the Law on Employment Promotion in 2007 and 2008, under the principles of Convention No. 159, UN Standard Rules for the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities and the Biwako Millennium Framework. The amended Labour Law institutes a mandatory quota system for employers with 25 or more employees and imposes a fee when the statutory obligation is not met. The Government also reports on the changes in the Law on Employment Promotion, last amended in 2008, establishing a special account under the Employment Promotion Fund dedicated to employment promotion programmes for persons with disabilities, including training centres, sheltered workshops, vocational rehabilitation and wage subsidies for employing persons with disabilities. The Government also indicates that it has cooperated with the ILO Subregional Office for East Asia to develop ten small-scale advocacy projects promoting disability rights and has engaged with the representative organizations of employers, workers, and persons with disabilities in the process. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the measures adopted to promote vocational rehabilitation and employment opportunities, as well as relevant statistics showing the impact of the National Programme on Promotion of Persons with Disabilities on increasing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Article 5. Consultation with social partners and representative organizations. The Government informs that there are over 40 national NGOs dealing with employment issues of persons with disabilities and that 29 of them actively cooperate with the Government’s central administrative organ in implementing disability-related policies. The Committee also notes that a council composed of 11 representatives from the Government, employers, trade unions and organizations representing persons with disabilities has been established following the ratification of the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities in May 2009, and that this council monitors and evaluates the implementation of legislation on employment and industrial relations of persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to indicate in its next report examples of the new council’s activities in promoting social dialogue and implementing policies regarding matters covered by the Convention.

Article 7. Vocational rehabilitation and employment services. The Committee notes the reorganization and expansion of the National Rehabilitation Centre in 2006, which now consists of four main divisions: prosthetic workshop; orthopaedic workshop; vocational training unit; and clinical rehabilitation unit. The Government explains that the vocational training unit is composed of a training division and a professional counselling team and provides training to
120–200 persons with disabilities. The Government further communicates its intention to develop the centre into a model institution with local branches, offering comprehensive rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to also indicate information on the progress made in developing local branches of the National Rehabilitation Centre.

Article 8. Access to services in rural areas and remote communities. The Committee notes that the Government allocates funding to 21 provinces and nine districts through the special account under the Employment Promotion Fund. The Government also relates that, in the first quarter of 2009, persons with disabilities in rural areas received financial support amounting to 17 per cent of the Government’s fully funded – as well as 28 per cent of partially funded – business projects for persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report updated information on the availability of vocational rehabilitation and employment services in rural areas and remote communities.

Article 9. Training of suitably qualified staff. The Committee notes that the National Rehabilitation Centre currently employs 53 trained staff. It also notes that the Government is taking some measures to train specialized social workers to improve community and family-based services for persons with disabilities under the Comprehensive National Development Strategy of 2008. The Committee would appreciate receiving updated information on the measures adopted by the Government to improve the training and increase the availability of qualified staff responsible for vocational guidance, training, placement and employment of persons with disabilities.

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1. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2004. It asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the following points.

2. Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. The Committee notes with interest that 1,278 jobs have been created for persons with disabilities and that information meetings on the employment of persons with disabilities were organized for employers in 2003. The Committee asks the Government to indicate whether other measures have been adopted in the context of the implementation of the National Programme on the Improvement of Social Welfare for Disabled Persons, 1999-2004 and, if so, to indicate their content. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide information on the measures adopted with a view to promoting the employment of persons with disabilities on the open labour market.

3. Article 5. With reference to its previous direct request, the Committee asks the Government to indicate the manner in which representative employers’ and workers’ organizations and representative organizations of and for persons with disabilities are consulted on the matters referred to in this Article.

4. Article 7. The Committee notes with interest that the National Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled has received financial support to improve the quality of the training provided. It also notes that in 2003-04, 477 persons with disabilities and 200 entrepreneurs with disabilities received specific training and that meetings were organized in 2003 to help persons with disabilities find jobs. The Committee asks the Government to continue providing information on the various services provided to help persons with disabilities secure, retain and advance in employment.

5. Article 8. The Committee refers to its previous direct request and would be grateful if the Government would describe the measures adopted to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities in rural areas and remote communities.

6. Article 9. The Committee refers to its previous direct request and asks the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure that staff suitably qualified in vocational rehabilitation are made available to persons with disabilities.

7. Part V of the report form. The Committee notes that a census of persons with disabilities was undertaken jointly by the National Statistical Office, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. The Government is requested to keep the Committee informed of any further measures taken to promote the vocational integration of persons with disabilities in the light of the information compiled in the census. The Committee also asks the Government to continue providing information on the practical impact of the measures adopted to implement a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities within the meaning of Convention No. 159.

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1. The Committee notes the detailed information provided by the Government in its first report on the application of the Convention and, in particular, the adoption of the National Programme on Improvement of Living Standards of Disabled Persons for 1999-2004. It would be grateful if the Government would provide additional information in its next report on the following points, taking into account the recent adoption of the Programme.

2. Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. Please provide information on the manner in which the two phases of the National Programme on Improvement of Living Standards of Disabled Persons has been implemented and details about the implementation of the national policy since its adoption. Please describe the manner in which the National Programme has so far contributed to promoting employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market, including formation on the practical application of section 111 of the Labour Code.

Article 5. Please describe the manner in which representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, and representative organizations of and for disabled persons, are consulted on the matters referred to in this Article.

Article 7. Please provide information on the arrangements and existing services to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Article 8. Please provide information on the measures taken to promote the establishment and development of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for disabled persons in rural areas and remote communities.

Article 9. Please provide information on how the training and availability of suitably qualified vocational rehabilitation counsellors are ensured.

Part V of the report form. The Committee notes that, according to the information provided by the Government, information on persons with disabilities in Mongolia is insufficient and contradictory. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide in its next report any more accurate information available on the persons with disabilities currently working in the open labour market. Please also provide a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied, including, for example, statistics, extracts from reports, studies and inquiries concerning the matters covered by the Convention.