Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Zambia (Ratification: 1989)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report contains no reply to its previous comments. It hopes that the next report will include full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of a national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment for persons with disabilities. The Committee noted with interest the adoption of the Persons with Disabilities Act, No. 6 of 2012. It also noted that the draft National Policy on Disability had not yet been considered by Cabinet. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of the National Policy on Disability and its resulting impact on the actual integration of persons with disabilities within the open labour market. Please also provide information on the results of any surveys on disability once they have been completed and other statistical data on the vocational integration of persons with disabilities, in so far as possible, disaggregated on the basis of gender, occupation and income.

Articles 3 and 4. Promotion of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Government indicated that the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) had embarked on various media campaigns and has engaged employers with respect to the creation of a conducive working environment for persons with disabilities. The Committee noted that section 39 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2012, provides that the ZAPD shall, in consultation with the relevant institutions, secure the reservation of a prescribed percentage of positions in employment in the public and private sectors for persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2012, and on any other programmes or measures adopted within the framework of the national policy to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market. Please also provide information on the developments concerning reserved positions in employment in the public and private sectors for persons with disabilities.

Article 7. Adaptation of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the steps taken to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment.