Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

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

The Committee has noted with interest the information supplied by the Government in its first report on the application of the Convention. It would be grateful if in its next report the Government would supply additional information on the following points:

Article 2 of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government's statement in the report, according to which there is currently no express national policy on vocational rehabilitation and employment of disabled persons in Zambia. It also notes the Government's indications to the effect that rehabilitation of the disabled is implemented in practice through the existence of various institutions and that there is an implied policy which is implemented through the Council for the Handicapped and the Commission for the Handicapped, an office in the Ministry of Labour, Social Development and Culture. The Government states that there has not been any comprehensive review of the national policy, but that there is an ongoing review in the context of the Council and Commission for the Handicapped. The Committee points out that this Article of the Convention requires the Government to "formulate, implement and periodically review a national policy" on the matter. It would be grateful if the Government would supply more detailed information concerning the manner in which this principle of the Convention is implemented. It hopes that the next report will give particulars of the ongoing review mentioned and its results.

Article 3. The Government states that its implied policy is to promote employment of disabled persons in the open labour market, and indicates that it assists blind persons (through reservation of positions) in their placement as switchboard operators in the public service. Please indicate whether there are any other measures taken or envisaged aiming at promoting employment opportunities for all categories of disabled persons in the open labour market, in accordance with this Article.

Article 7. Please describe in more detail the arrangements made to give fuller effect to this Article, including the various services available and any adaptation thereof to enable disabled persons to secure, retain and advance in employment.

Point V of the report form. Please provide supplementary information concerning the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice, including extracts from studies, inquiries or reports, in particular, for example, the annual report that the Council for the Handicapped is required to submit under the law of 1968.